The Question Of Gerindra's 2024 Candidate For Vice President: Cak Imin's Lack Of Intimacy With NU Is Considered To Have Made Prabowo Turn To Khofifah

Gerindra Party chairman Prabowo Subianto met East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa in East Java in May 2022. (Gerindra doc)

JAKARTA - Political communication observer at Esa Unggul University, Jamiluddin Ritonga, assessed that East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa had the opportunity to become a vice presidential candidate (cawapres) accompanying the General Chair of the Gerindra Party, Prabowo Subianto.

The opportunity was great because Prabowo Subianto's praises to Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) were sky high during the signing of the cooperation with PKB at the Gerindra Rapimnas in Sentul, Bogor, West Java, Saturday, August 13, yesterday. Prabowo will cooperate with NU cadres as his vice presidential candidate.

The signal was then linked to the embracing of the General Chairperson of PKB Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin) or Khofifah Indar Parawansa by Gerindra. However, regarding Cak Imin as Prabowo's running mate, Jamiluddin is pessimistic. Moreover, the relationship between NU and Cak Imin is currently being disharmony

"If it's Cak Imin, it seems that Prabowo's vice presidential candidate is small. Because if it's Cak Imin that Prabowo wants, of course the signal will be delivered directly to him during the National Working Meeting in Sentul," said Jamiluddin in Jakarta, Monday, August 15.

He also assessed that Prabowo's praise for NU during the National Meeting was not focused on Cak Imin. Thus, the opportunity is very big for Khofifah, who is an NU cadre.

"The signal is even more directed at Khofifah. Because Khofifah is part of NU and is highly accepted by PBNU and Gusdurian," said Jamiluddin.

In addition, collaborating with Khofifah as a candidate for vice presidential candidate will be more beneficial for Prabowo. Khofifah with the support of a large mass base in East Java, will be able to help raise Prabowo's electability.

This is needed by Prabowo, because in the 2014 and 2019 presidential elections, Prabowo lost in East Java. By making Khofifah his running mate, Prabowo's chances of winning in East Java will be great.

After all, when Prabowo visited East Java some time ago, this active Defense Minister accidentally met Khofifah. It could be that the meeting made Prabowo lured into cooperating with Prabowo.

Based on these considerations, it seems that the signal to praise NU seems to be directed at Khofifah rather than Cak Imin. Because, from political calculations, Prabowo would be more profitable if he made Khofifah his vice presidential candidate.

"Speculation will be answered after Prabowo chooses his vice presidential candidate. Let time answer," he said.