KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 — The contest for the post of Umno Youth chief seems to be narrowing down to only two figures — incumbent Khairy Jamaluddin and Langkawi branch chief Akhramsyah Sanusi.

The other three aspirants – Syed Rosli Syed Harman, Abdul Karim Ali and Irwan Ambak Khalid Izhar – have already been reduced to mere bit players.

Khairy and Akhramsyah have caught the attention of the movement’s members and their delegates with their differing approaches — liberal and inclusive versus the Malay and Islamic agenda.

Adding to the excitement are bloggers on Akhramsyah’s side who have been “shouting and yelling” at the Opposition, and also component parties in Barisan Nasional (BN) who are questioning Malay rights, as well as the sanctities of Islam and the Ruler’s Institution.

Akhramsyah, seen as the underdog given Khairy’s leadership in the movement, is trying to make an impact with his “Hidup Melayu” slogan and get the movement’s grassroot members on his side.

Setting the two apart are their opposing views on the movement’s original role.

Its grassroots members are familiar with the hard-hitting stand on issues affecting the Malays and Islam since the days of the late Datuk Harun Idris right up to Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who drew out a keris at the movement’s assembly in 2009 to reflect its willingness to die for the party.

However, the movement has changed under Khairy’s leadership.

In the May 5 general election, its members were reduced to merely playing “second fiddle” on the campaign trail, which left many of them agitated.

Khairy’s brand of politics, such as wanting to change the movement’s DNA, has also come under attack, with many viewing the idea as steering away from the its original objective.

But whatever debate taking place now, Khairy has the advantage of incumbency as he has been the youth head since 2009. As the Youth and Sports Minister, he also has the edge in campaigning.

Akhramsyah will have to toe the line, and expect to be barred from attending events, “kenduri” or meet-the-people sessions, all of which cannot be passed off as official functions.

Closely watched by the party election committee, headed by Tan Sri Mohd Tajol Rosli, Akhramsyah’s restricted movements and activities will surely put a dent in his cause.

He will have to depend on his supporters to do his campaigning for him while he pops in whenever the “line is clear”.

For Khairy, campaigning will not be a problem as he is free to move about under the ministry’s programmes.

At the same time, his supporters, such as Datuk Reezal Merican, are already actively meeting the grassroots, marketing him and his cause.

Given such a scenario, the journey is predicted to be quite smooth for Khairy, whereas Akhramsyah faces an uphill battle.

However, raising certain issues, such as the role of the movement, may be enough to give Akhramsyah the upper hand.