This, he said was based on two factors, the efficiency of the BN election machinery and the increasing support for the coalition by the people in the constituency.

"With the winds of change blowing in favour of the BN, we can win with a big majority," Tengku Razaleigh, who is more fondly called Ku Li, said at a gathering with ex-servicemen at Bukit Chekati in Gua Musang today.

The Galas by-election was called following the death of its incumbent, Chek Hashim Sulaima, 46, due to colon cancer last Sept 27.

The Election Commission has set Oct 26 as nomination day and Nov 4 as polling day for the by-election.

Tengku Razaleigh, who is is also Gua Musang Umno chief, said programmes carried out by the BN machinery were going on well and there was a strong show of commitment by workers to win back the seat.

"I admit that the BN's image has been affected when Galas fell to PAS in the last general election, although with a small majority, because Galas had always been BN's seat," he added.