As the election date for Gerakan draws closer, more allegations and crticisims are surfacing especially over the battle for presidency between incumbent Dr Lim Keng Yaik and his deputy-turned-rival Kerk Choo Ting.

Joining in the fray today was the party's Kelantan liaison committee chairperson Ng Chian Chin, who launched a vitriolic attack against Kerk.

He dismissed the presidential hopeful's manifesto, which vowed to strengthen the party's financial standing, as a 'joke'.

According to him, Kerk ( left ) was never worried about the party's finances during his 16-year tenure as deputy president.

"Is it only when someone wants to become president, he chooses to contribute?" he was quoted as saying in a Bernama report.

Ng also took a swipe at vice-president Dr Tan Kee Kwong for supporting Kerk and accusing the president of having the list of delegates who will attend the party's annual meet this week.

The party constitution forbids any member, including the president, of having the list.

"Every year Lim has to send thousands of new year cards to the party headquarters to be posted to the delegates, so where is the truth in him having the list?" he asked.

Don't get personal

Kerk and Tan also came under the crosshair of Gerakan Pahang chief Ng Keong Chye, who accused the duo of launching personal attacks against their political rivals.

"Party elections are not for making personal attacks," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Gerakan Selangor chairperson Lum Weng Keong said the state wing supported Lim's leadership and believes he will keep his promise to hand over the presidency to his successor in two years.

"We feel that for the good of the party, the transition of power must be carried out two years from now," he added.

Lum said Gerakan needed a young, dynamic and visionary leader to lead the party.

"The present leadership led by Lim has laid down a strong foundation for future leaders," he added.

The contest for presidency was sparked off by the succession issue after Lim openly pledged his support for vice-president and Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon to take over the reigns.

Koh will be contesting for deputy presidency in this week's party polls.