Allegations and attempts in a bid to get Khalid Ibrahim dismissed as the state's chief executive are a way for Umno to downplay his rising popularity, the Selangor menteri besar's political secretary Faekah Husin says.

The moves are made to affect Khalid's popularity and credibility, which have overpassed the reputation of Umno and other Pakatan Rakyat leaders, Faekah said in a statement today.