Many were skeptical about the chance of SBYs oldest son to beat popular incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok).
Agus, an army major, was nominated by a coalition of four minority parties, including Democratic party, of which SBY is the general chairman.
Agus,38, was nominated by the coalition with his running mate Sylviana Murni , to contest the gubernatorial election in February next year.
"It is tantamount to committing political hara-kiri (suicide) by the Cikeas family if Agus lost in the political gambling," one political analyst said.
Director of Indo Survey & Strategy Karyono Wibowo said the decision of the Cikeas family, sacrificing Agus military career with outstanding record, has raised questions.
Failure in the election will have negative psychological effect on Agus political career, Karyono said.
However, if the Jakarta election was not the main target, Agus would gain in popularity even if he lost, he said.
Karyono said it would be difficult for the Agus-Sylvi pair to beat Ahok with his running mate Vice Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat as a pair of incumbents.
He said Ahok has an advantage being an incumbent although he has weaknesses mainly in his style of communications of being emotional with his high temper.
Ahok as a governor often used rude and offending remarks, insulting words that left people feeling humiliated, he said .
However, it would not be easy for Agus-Sylvi, even Anies Baswedan-Sandiaga Uno, to beat the pair of incumbents," he said.
Anies-Sandiaga, is another pair nominated by Gerindra and the Islamic Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).
The three pairs were already registered themselves with the Jakarta Election Commission .
The pair of incumbents is nominated by a coalition of four political parties led by the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP)which has the largest number of seats at the City Council , Nasdem, Hanura and Golkar, the countrys second largest party, though a minority in Jakarta.
Karyono was also quoted as saying that many believed SBY is grooming his son to contest a higher political level and that the Cikeas family is eyeing the presidency using Jakarta election as a stepping stone.
"People may be right, but could also be wrong in their conclusion, but it is certain there is political calculation in case of Agus winning or losing.
"Winning (the election) is something to be grateful. Losing does not matter much as it is not the ultimate goal," he said.
He said maybe Cikeas and his Democrat Party only want to know the political weight of SBY in Jakarta to see the chance for Agus to contest the next presidential election.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
