Former PKR strongman and now BN senator Ezam Mohd Nor’s star appears to be shining, with the Kota Raja Umno deputy division chief reportedly stepping aside to make way for Ezam to contest for the post at the party polls next month.

If he takes up the offer, this will be Ezam's first elected position in Umno after the PKR founding Youth chief switched camps in 2007.

Although relatively quiet in recent years, Ezam, who is a second term senator, was said to play a key role in Selangor Umno especially after the charging of former Selangor MB Mohd Khir Toyo.

Kota Raja Umno deputy division chief Kamal Arifin Kainan told Sinar Harian he is making way for Ezam as the latter is no stranger to Kota Raja, and will be able to transform the division.

Kamal Arifin added that he is also mooting that Kota Raja Umno division chief Kamaruzzama Johari be retained in his post so as to strengthen the party for the next general election.

Meanwhile, former Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman, who has decided not to take on Wanita chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil for the post after all, will be “groomed” to be Shahrizat’s eventual successor.

Quoting Umno insiders, the New Straits Times reported that party elders want Azalina to “learn more about the wing” so she would be a “suitable successor” in the future.