With nomination day just 10 days away, rumours of possible candidates for the Hulu Selangor by-election are intensifying by the minute.

Generating the most heated speculation is the BN camp as Umno grassroots appears to be gaining ground in their campaign to ensure that MIC deputy president G Palanivel is not made a candidate.

A frequently mentioned alternative to Palanivel is former Selangor menteri besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib, formerly the state assemblyperson for Batang Kali, a state seat under the Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency.

ulu selangor by-election 030410 banner supporting mohd taib at kuala kubu bahru Rumours of Muhammad’s possible return were sparked by the appearance of banners supporting his candidacy when BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak visited the constituency last Saturday.

According to a source, Muhammad’s candidacy would be a major boost to BN’s campaign because he needs no introduction to the constituents.

One local MCA leader contacted by Malaysiakini said an informal survey conducted showed that the Chinese community was in favour of having Muhammad as a candidate.

"Our feelers report that Muhammad is the favoured candidate but we cannot endorse him openly as this is an MIC seat," said the leader who requested anonymity.

Najib favours MIC

However, Najib today made the strongest reassurance yet that BN’s candidate would come from MIC. He said this during his speech at the Selangor BN convention but was mum on the choice of candidate.

Najib’s reluctance to name Palanivel, a four-term Hulu Selangor MP and MIC’s sole nominee, has prompted speculation that he is likely be dropped.

dr s subramaniam interview 210308 04 MIC sources revealed that Human Resource Minister Dr S Subramaniam’s ( left) faction is now lobbying for V Mugilan to be Palanivel’s replacement.

Mugilan is MIC deputy Youth leader and Hulu Selangor Youth division leader.

Another highly-placed MIC source told Malaysiakini that the party was now scrambling to submit a fresh list of possible MIC candidates to Najib.

Another name being bandied about is that of MIC information chief P Kamalanathan who is based in nearby Rawang.

Should Palanivel not be fielded for this by-election, it would be a severe blow to his political career besides stunting his chances of taking over as MIC president from strongman S Samy Vellu.

PKR has its own surprises

Meanwhile, PKR’s likely shortlist of five candidates are PKR Hulu Selangor vice-chief Razali Mokhtar, division treasurer Dr Halili Rahmat, state deputy chairperson Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud, Pakatan Rakyat coordinator Zaid Ibrahim and lawyer-cum-activist N Surendran.

zaid ibrahim pc umno sacking 041208 07 According to one source, the frontrunners are currently local boy and neurosurgeon Halili and Zaid ( right ), a prominent Pakatan national leader and former Umno minister.

"Barring any other unforeseen circumstances within the next few days, these two names will make it to PKR’s final candidate list.

"These two names have been given prominence and a decision will be finalised when de facto leader Anwar returns from overseas tomorrow," the source said.

PKR may also decide to spring a surprise on BN by fielding Surendran who is well known for his activism work among the Indian community and yet politically presentable to the Malay and Chinese electorate.

PKR is expected to announce a candidate only after BN does so on April 15.