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Gerindra not worried by Golkar joining forces with rival PDI-P in Banten governor race
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Poll workers prepare ballot papers during a revote at a polling station in Serang, Banten, on Feb 21, 2024. The General Elections Commission (KPU) held a revote in four polling stations in the presidential and legislative elections in the city after officials found underage voters, double voting and voters without proper documentation. (Antara/Asep Fathulrahman)
Senior Gerindra Party politician Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said he was not worried by the fact that his party’s partner was closing in on a deal to join forces with a rival party to challenge the possible bid of Gerindra’s Andra Soni in the coming Banten gubernatorial election.
Dasco’s statement came as the Golkar Party, Gerindra’s partner in the February presidential election, is finalizing a deal with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), its rival, to support Golkar politician Airin Rachmi Diany’s gubernatorial bid in Banten and pair her with PDI-P Banten office head Ade Sumardi.
Airin is a former South Tangerang mayor in Banten and the sister-in-law of former Banten governor Ratu Atut Chosiyah, also from Golkar, whose rise to power has been built on what is considered the country’s strongest political dynasty
“That Golkar joins forces with the PDI-P in Banten, we see no problems there. We respect it,” Dasco said on the sideline of an event in Jakarta on Wednesday. “I say competition in regional elections is expected. Political parties making different choices are also natural.”
Read also: Golkar’s Airin to get PDI-P support for Banten governor race
Gerindra, Golkar and the PDI-P won the most seats in the Banten legislature in the February legislative election, each with 14 seats, but not enough to be eligible to register a candidate pair alone without forming an alliance.
As a card-carrying member of Golkar, Airin was initially expected to gain equal support from all four members of the Onward Indonesia Coalition (KIM), the Gerindra-led alliance behind the victory of party patron and president-elect Prabowo Subianto in February.
