Baljit Singh, one of Penang Gerakan's most vocal leaders, will challenge state Gerakan heavyweight Teng Chang Yeow for the rights to lead the Penang Gerakan.

As nominations closed today, Baljit and Chang Yeow, the incumbent state Gerakan vice-chairperson, were the only people nominated for the position. The ballot will be held on September 15.

Baljit is currently the Penang Gerakan legal and human rights bureau chief.

Although some newspapers had speculated about Baljit's candidacy, it still came as a surprise because 10 out of 13 Gerakan divisions in the state endorsed Chang Yeow as the state party chairperson.

Chang Yeow was the BN head in Penang during the 13th general election but he failed to make a dent in Pakatan Rakat's armour while Gerakan still doesn't have a single seat in Penang.

The last contest for the Penang Gerakan top post was in 2008 involving Teck Hock Nan, Chia Kwang Chye and Cheang Chee Gooi.

Hock Nan emerged victorious to replace outgoing Penang Gerakan chief Koh Tsu Koon who was also then acting Gerakan president.

Teng: I don't care who wins

However, Hock Nan will only be vying for one of five positions as state national delegate along with seven other contenders.

A total of 14 people will also be vying for six committee member position in Penang Gerakan.

Speaking to reporters after the nomination, Teng said his decision to contest the chairperson post was because he wanted to rebuild and rehabilitate the party in a bid to restore the people's faith in Gerakan.

"That is my main task after evaluating the requests from most of the divisions and grassroot members who have expressed their support for me over the past few months and asked me to make a comeback to the party hierarchy, to lead the party," he, according to Bernama.

When asked about his opponent, Baljit Singh, Teng said it was not the personality, but more on the job done by the winner of the contest that would really matter.

"I don't care who wins, what matters is that the responsibility to strengthen the party must be done together, regardless of one's opinion," he said. 

Baljit is expected to speak to the press about his candidacy tomorrow.