IT was meant to be a day of celebration.

Instead, the silver jubilee of Pas' adoption of kepimpinan ulama, or leadership by religious scholars, at its Markaz Tarbiyyah in Taman Melewar in Kuala Lumpur today has become a subject of contention by party members.

Organised by the Dewan Ulama, Pas' ulama wing, the occasion is seen as a front for the promotion of certain personalities in party elections at the 55th muktamar or annual assembly in Shah Alam, Selangor.

A seminar is allegedly being used as a platform to campaign for candidates in the ulama group vying for posts at the elections in less than two weeks.

The fact that the celebration is two years late has been hotly debated.

Why now and not in 2007, since the leadership of Islamic scholars was adopted by Pas Youth in 1982 and implemented a year later?

Elections were also held in 2007 whereby the ulama and professionals won an almost equal number of posts across the board.

Party insiders say the non-ulama group is widely seen as posing a strong challenge to the ulama group in the June 5 party polls.

Several working papers, mostly tailored to highlight the role of the ulama, will be presented at the day-long seminar to some 2,500 grassroots leaders, most of them said to be voting delegates, provoking allegations of "brainwashing".

Contests between the Umno-friendly ulama and pro-Pakatan Rakyat non-ulama factions for the top posts from deputy president down are expected to be intense.

For the first time, allegations of political corruption emerged as candidates nominated by the divisions consider their acceptances. They have until May 25 to do so.

Party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang is waiting to be endorsed for another term, being the sole candidate qualified to contest for the post.

The most crucial contest is for the post of deputy president, where incumbent Nasharuddin Mat Isa is likely to face a challenge from one or two contenders.

Of the nominations submitted by 137 of Pas' 170 divisions, it is reliably learnt that Nasharuddin, who is from the ulama group, obtained 68 nominations, while non-ulama vice-presidents Datuk Husam Musa and Mohamad Sabu obtained 28 and 26 respectively.

Sources said deputy murshyidul am (spiritual leader) Datuk Dr Haron Din and Kedah Menteri Besar and party central committee member Datuk Seri Azizan Razak obtained eight and seven nominations respectively, and will thus not contest.

The race for the three vice-presidencies is shaping up, with the nomination of popular former Perak menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, who shares the moderate views of the non-ulama.

As much as Pas leaders deny that factionalism exists in the party, observers view this year's elections as a joust between the ulama group and the so-called Erdogan faction.

The side supporting closer ties with Umno, led by Hadi, are labelled the ulama faction, while those who support Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are tagged the "Erdogans" because of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader's ties with Turkey's Reccep Tayyip Erdogan.

The ulama is seen as synonymous with a conservative interpretation of the party's objectives, while the Erdogans, who have the blessing of spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, believe that Islamic principles can augment an equitable multicultural society.

In another instance of the factions' dispute, some are asking why the anniversary celebration is being held on the day Pas leaders should be accompanying Pakatan Rakyat candidate Dr Mansor Othman of the PKR to the nomination centre in the Penanti state by-election.

A party official believes the ulama group will have a field day to promote its cause while most of the Erdogans are in Penanti to lend moral support to Anwar and the PKR candidate.

Western-educated professionals have coexisted with the ulama to soften the Islamist party's orthodox image over the years, enabling Pas to become more inclusive.

Delegates to the muktamar are aware of the complementary roles played by the two groups and will stick to the unwritten rule that only candidates who abide by the teachings of Islam are fit to become leaders.