The Cook Islands ruling Democratic party says it is ignoring the claims by MP, Norman George, that he has increasing support for his group within the party.
The party's campaign co-ordinator, Arthur Taripo, says one faction would like to see Mr George expelled.
But, he says there's another faction which believes that the MP has cost the party the government in previous elections so he should be kept within the fold.
Mr Taripo says Mr George wants to hold the balance of power.
"He's in a battle for his political life..he's desperate. What he needs to do is hang on to his Democratic party connections because that's where he needs to draw his support from. He's got a very tough battle in Atiu, his own seat so his whole strategy is based on saying he's got the support of key MPs, the prime minister, cabinet ministers."
Mr Taripo says the prime minister, Dr Robert Woonton, has rejected the claims by Mr George but he says the MP remains an adviser to the PM.
Mr George says his faction, the Tumu Enua grouping, now has three MPs supporting it, and will gain six seats in the election.
