In what appeared to be a tinge of sadness in his voice, Mukhriz, who is going up against the Jitra incumbent in the polls, said both of them met recently during a ceremony at the Istana Anak Bukit.

Mukhriz said the situation was rather awkward. They cordially shook hands, but did not say much to each other.

“We are still on talking terms but it is not the same as before.

“We do what we must. When it comes to the election, the friendship is still there, but we are driven by a bigger agenda – to save the country and the state. It is unfortunate he is on the other side. I aim to beat him,” he said while on his walkabout at the Asun morning market here today.

In reminiscing about his time as menteri besar, Mukhriz said he was the one who had placed Aminuddin as a member of his administration.

“I put him there. I picked him as a candidate in the last election. I campaigned for him to ensure he would win, and then I appointed him as an exco in the state government.

“He was with me right until the end, but after that he decided to stick with Umno,” he said.

Mukhriz said he believed that Aminuddin was still contesting Jitra because he (Mukhriz) was contesting.

“He doesn’t get along well with the division chief (the Kubang Pasu incumbent Mohd Johari Baharum). He is on the other side.

“So, I might have saved him due to my candidacy in Jitra. But I still aim to win,” he added with a laugh.

In the 13th general election, Aminuddin secured the state seat of Jitra by defeating PAS’ Rohani Muttalib by 3,056 votes.

At the height of the Kedah leadership crisis in 2016, he had stood by and supported an embattled Mukhriz.

He had also been beside Mukhriz when the latter announced that he was relinquishing his menteri besar post.

In GE14, apart from Mukhriz and Aminuddin, the Jitra seat is also being contested by PAS’ Zulhazmi Osman.

That’s politics, Mukhriz says on battle with close pal Aminuddin