Speaking to FMT today, the former Perak MB, who was removed during the 2009 state constitutional crisis, said Mukhriz’s future with the ruling party was bleak given the plot to have him replaced with Kedah Umno deputy liaison committee chairman Ahmad Bashah Md Hanifah.

“Mukhriz has the support of the people, as well as the Opposition who were rooting for him to remain as Kedah MB. Unfortunately, his own party did not have such confidence in him.

“Seeing how Prime Minister Najib Razak has opted to remove Mukhriz rather than persuading the party members into respecting his position, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is sidelined in the next general election (GE).”

He suggested that Mukhriz join Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) and work with the Opposition to take over Putrajaya.

Nizar also slammed the undemocratic way used to remove Mukhriz from his top post, claiming that he suffered the same fate at the hands of Najib.

“Unlike Mukhriz, I chose not to resign and take the matter to court. But if Mukhriz had insisted on fighting, he would probably get to retain his position at least until the next GE.

“Say the Kedah government had followed the democratic method of taking the matter to the state assembly. I’m sure only a handful would vote against him.”

Mukhriz announced his resignation at Wisma Darulaman in Kedah today. His post has now been taken over by Ahmad Bashah.

The announcement came weeks after 14 Kedah Umno chiefs, led by Ahmad Bashah, held a press conference urging Najib to remove Mukhriz as Menteri Besar and state Umno chief, claiming they had lost all confidence in his leadership.