PKR deputy president Azmin Ali will continue to create problems until he is sacked, according to PKR Youth secretary Ahmad Syukri Che Razab.
Following this, he said the economic affairs minister and his supporters would declare themselves as heroes who were wronged for standing up for the truth.
“When in actual fact, these are the people who often sow confusion,” he added.
As for Azmin's meeting with more than 20 Umno lawmakers at his residence in Putrajaya on Monday night, Ahmad Syukri alleged that it was to impress Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“He attempted to exhibit his strength by showing that Umno MPs are under his thumb.
“With this, he is hoping to get support from Mahathir to become (the next) prime minister,” he added in a statement this afternoon.
Continuing his scathing salvo, Ahmad Syukri described his deputy president as a publicity seeker and leader of the “kabilah pintu belakang” (a faction seeking to gain power through the back door).
He claimed that the meeting with Umno lawmakers was orchestrated to ensure Azmin remained in the media spotlight.
“Perhaps Azmin relishes being treated as a phenomenon. Bad publicity is good publicity for a politician who is obsessed with the camera lens,” he added.
However, Ahmad Syukri warned Azmin that he is testing the limits of the PKR leadership's patience with his antics and indiscipline.
“What is happening is simple. It is driven by the insatiable desire of the 'kabilah pintu belakang' leader to become prime minister. So he heaps praises on Mahathir when he was the same person who once questioned (Mahathir being named as the prime minister-designate before the last election).
“With this, he is hoping to get Mahathir's support. Unfortunately, simple mathematics might render his ambition unachievable.
“Therefore, I advise the leader of the 'kabilah pintu belakang' and his loyalists to stop knocking on the back door and return to the front door,” he added.
Yesterday, Azmin downplayed his meeting with the Umno lawmakers, saying he meets with elected representatives from both sides of the political divide.
“That was a normal meeting. Nothing extraordinary.
“I take an open approach, whoever wants to meet me, I meet with them. I meet with the people, the business community, MPs whether from PH (Harapan) or not from PH,” he said.
Earlier today, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said he has not prevented others from setting their sights on the premiership but stressed the importance of using the right channel.
“Otherwise, we would need to make pacts with this and that faction or (hold) private meetings here and there,” he said.
Although he did not mention names, his remarks appeared to be aimed at his estranged deputy.
Also present at the meeting with Azmin was former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein (photo), who the Harapan secretariat had accused of attempting to form a government without DAP and Amanah.
Anwar had also accused Hishammuddin of attempting to use the threat of prosecution to secure support for his alleged plot and urged BN lawmakers not to succumb to this.
Hishammuddin later denied the allegation. He also claimed that he is powerless to prevent Anwar from becoming the prime minister.
Despite Mahathir and Anwar's repeated assurances that their succession plan would proceed as agreed, speculation has been rife that Mahathir and his inner circle preferred Azmin.
The outcome of last Saturday's Tanjung Piai by-election, in which Harapan suffered a crushing defeat, led certain quarters to pressure Mahathir to expedite the transition of power process and pass the baton to Anwar.
