It is not easy to be Iskandar Abdul Samad. As a state executive councillor and Selangor PAS commissioner, he has the daunting task of defending Selangor from BN's attacks.

At the same time, calls from the party grassroots to cut ties with PKR continue to strengthen, as seen at the PAS division meetings where such motions that were brought forward, especially at the Youth wing level.

This starkly contrasts with two years ago when Iskandar, Idris Ahmad and Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah rose up to swiftly topple then deputy president Mohamad Sabu's camp.

This time, Iskandar (photo) is the odd man out as four candidates race for the three vice-president positions. Iskandar is an architect by training while the others have backgrounds in religious studies.

This includes new contender Nasrudin Hassan, a graduate of premier Islamic studies university, Al-Azhar University in Egypt. Can Nasrudin complete the ulama circle, which began to dominate the party after its 2015 leadership elections?

Political analysts are split on the issue.

Ahmad Marthada Mohamed, an associate professor in University Utara Malaysia's School of Government, Law and International Studies, believes there is clear indication that PAS now prefers those who have religious backgrounds to lead the party.

Ahmad Marthada belives the same trend will persist at the PAS elections next week.

"Maybe individuals with professional backgrounds (that is, those without religious training), who are not seen to be aligned with the ulama leadership, will not gain positions at this party election," he said.

'Nasrudin trying his luck'

However, Universiti Sains Malaysia political scientist P Sivamurugan believes Nasrudin is only throwing his hat in the ring to try his luck.

This, despite Nasrudin being the only new candidate posing a challenge in a top position. The president, deputy president and Youth chief posts have been won uncontested, maintaining the status quo in PAS.

Sivamurguan said there is no clear indication of a movement to oust Iskandar because there is still a desire within PAS to maintain a balance between the ulama and professionals.

"Nasrudin is contesting in his capacity as former PAS Youth chief and information chief. Maybe he is just looking for more space to speak.

"He can be a strong contender, but Iskandar's role in Selangor and the state's importance must be taken into account," Sivamurguan said.

Even though PAS has decided not to join ranks with other major opposition parties, it remains as part of the Selangor government, together with PKR and DAP.

It maintained its position in the state government position even though PAS broke ties with DAP in 2015, prompting the dissolution of the tripartite Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang said the party is aiming to gain power in five states, including Selangor.

If this does happen, PAS will not need to rely on other parties in the most developed state in Malaysia, further diminishing Iskandar's position.