Hatta tipped to lead PAN: Official

State Secretary Hatta Radjasa has been touted as a favorite candidate for the chairmanship post at the National Mandate Party (PAN), the party's secretary general said Tuesday.

PAN secretary general Zulkifli Hasan said the majority of PAN regional leaders had pledged support for Hatta during the party's national congress scheduled for January next year.

“It's crystal clear. The regions are asking Hatta to run [for chairmanship],” Zulkifli said, as quoted by kompas.com, at the House of Representatives building in Jakarta.

Hatta's role as the chief of the campaign team for incumbent president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his running mate Boediono team has catapulted the minister to celebrity status both in national politics and within PAN.

Incumbent PAN chairman Soetrisno Bachir has dismissed a reelection bid, following his feud with other PAN leaders regarding the party’s choice of presidential ticket a few months ago.

“At least eight regional [branches] have nominated Hatta, and most branches support him also,” said Zulkifli.