On 2 September 2020, while submitting a letter of recommendation to the candidate pair of Mulyadi–Ali Mukhni from her party, in support of them, the Chairwoman of the Central Board of the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP),
Puan Maharani, made a remark that offended West Sumatra public at large, as she hopes that West Sumatra "could become a province that does support a
Pancasila state". Another controversial statement was also made by the General Chairwoman of the PDIP,
Megawati Sukarnoputri, who questioned West Sumatrans in general who disliked her party. Because of such controversial statements that deemed offending many West Sumatrans, Mulyadi–Ali Mukhni eventually returned the letter of recommendation from the party, leaving the PDIP not participating in this election. On 5 December 2020, Mulyadi was named suspect by the
Criminal Investigation Agency for allegedly violating campaigning rules. However, the case was stopped on 13 December 2020, and he was acquitted from all charges since. == Opinion polls ==