Election emotions gripping Parti Keadilan Rakyat divisions in Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur will reach fever pitch this weekend, with prominent party leaders slugging it out for leadership.

Nine out of 21 Selangor divisions and all 12 FT divisions will pick their leaders this weekend, joining 61 other divisions nationwide in the much publicised direct elections.

Selangor, however, will see a more heated contest between the two, as most of the FT divisional chiefs are expected to be returned to their posts   uncontested.

The  Selangor battles are geared to be more colourful affairs, with some prominent PKR leaders finding themselves having to slug it out with up to four other hopefuls for a division chief's post.

NONE Although up against less prominent party members, the four-cornered fight in Kuala Selangor will nonetheless be a test of grassroots support for Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim ( right ).

The MB, who is said to be a contender for top party posts such as deputy and vice-president, has so far only qualified to contest for the vice-president's post.

He obtained just one nomination for the deputy president's post and will need one more to qualify, although whether he is truly interested in doing battle remains to be seen.

Khalid is less fortunate compared with PKR Federal Territories chief and contender for the deputy president's post, Zaid Ibrahim, who is the sole candidate for the Wangsa Maju division post.

Sunday will also see a showdown between two Selangor elected representatives, assemblyperson and deputy speaker Haniza Talha, who is challenging incumbent Petaling Jaya Selatan chief and parliamentarian Hee Loy Sian.

Caustic text messages, banners

 Elected representatives locked in a three-way combat are Batu Tiga assemblyperson Rodziah Ismail and Kota Anggerik assemblyperson and sitting Puchong chief Yaakob Sapari, vying for the top post in the Shah Alam division.

nurul izzah interview 090910 Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar ( left ) faces a tough challenge from three others for the top post.

She is contesting with her team "Harapan Baru", that includes Darren Chua, the son of former Health Minister Chua Jui Meng, who is eyeing the division's No 2 post.

A hard fight is also on the cards in Kota Raja, where state executive councillor Xavier Jeyakumar faces a challenge for the divisional leadership from S Kottapan.

But Xavier is confident of keeping his post. He told Malaysiakini yesterday that the show of strength by Kottapan, with the use of caustic posters, banners and text messages, were "orchestrated by just a few people".

The Andalas assemblyperson, said to have full backing from Malay voters due to his strong relationship with PAS, will run with Sri Muda assemblyperson Suhaimi Shafie as deputy.

Party vice-president and Subang parliamentarian R Sivarasa is due to square off against four others for the Subang division chief's position.

Tian Chua expected to cruise in

In the Petaling Jaya Utara division, state exco and Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson Elizabeth Wong is taking on three others for the number one post.

Wong is said to be tag-teaming with Selangor youth chief Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin, who is facing two others for the post of deputy division chief.

save tian chua dinner 200610 tian chua Batu MP Tian Chua ( left ), on other hand is widely expected to cruise to victory in the contest for division chief in a straight fight on Sunday.

However, Kapar MP S Manikavasagam is opting out of the contest for division chief, vied for by six others, choosing instead to go against two hopefuls for the deputy's post.

In Selangor next weekend, all eyes will be on the Kelana Jaya division where incumbent chief Syed Shahir Syed Mohamed is defending his post.

He will be running with Setia assemblyperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, with both facing two others in the fight for the No 1 and 2 posts.

Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin will be fending off three others for the top post in that division while next door in Gombak, MP and assemblyperson Azmin Ali will go against veteran partyman Bakar Ninggal.

Azmin's running mate is Batu Caves state assemblyperson Amirudin Shari.

Also of interest will be the Sabak Bernam fight where newly-appointed Selangor PKR information chief and fiery cleric Badrol Amin Baharon will be defending his post as deputy chief.