A NATIONAL Party stalwart is encouraging voters to ignore the Coalition agreement in Indi and give their second preference to Cathy McGowan over the Liberal candidate Sophie Mirabella.

Former state MP Ken Jasper’s call is another blow to Mrs Mirabella’s shot at regaining the north east Victorian seat — and was met by disgust by senior Liberals in the region, labelling him a “rogue” and suggested he should be expelled from the Nats.

Mr Jasper — who held the Victorian Parliament seat of Murray Valley for 40 years for the Nationals — made headlines during the last federal election when he famously backed Ms McGowan over Mrs Mirabella, giving the independent a significant boost.

Mrs Mirabella lost by just 439 votes.

This time round, Mr Jasper is backing the Nationals candidate Marty Corboy but today announced he would be giving his second preference to Ms McGowan.

“I hope other National Party members will consider what I’m saying,” he said.

“Yes the Coalition has the recommendation (to preference each other) but I don’t have to stand by that recommendation.

“As far as I’m concerned I believe my second preference should go back to Cathy McGowan.”

Mr Jasper said he believed Ms McGowan had “worked hard” in the past three years and “had sought to connect with the people”.

Asked if he expected backlash from the Coalition, Mr Jasper said his conscience was clear.

“I’m an individual ... I’m clear on what I’m doing and I’m satisfied,” he said.

“These are my views as an individual.”

Mr Jasper said he believed there would be many conservative voters in Indi concerned about their second preference, and would make their own choice.

​The Nationals and Liberals official how-to-vote cards preference each other second, as per the Coalition agreement​. Preferences are vital if either Coalition candidate is to have a shot at toppling the independent — but Mr Jasper’s call raises the prospect that Liberal voters may not preference the Nationals in retaliation.

Asked if his decision could backfire on the Coalition, Mr Jasper said he wouldn’t speculate on the closeness of the contest.

​”I think Marty is performing extremely well ... he’s certainly getting positive responses wherever he goes right across the electorate,” he said.

“I acknowledge she (Mrs Mirabella)​ has been the member, but I was never confident in the way she represented the electorate.

“The first priority of a member of Parliament is to represent the people of the electorate and I believe that wasn’t being done over that period of time.”

Mrs Mirabella held the seat for 12 years and was the only sitting Liberal MP to lose at the last election.

Mr Jasper’s comments come after a tough campaign for Mrs Mirabella thus far, following a series of gaffes and reports of a lack of support from Liberal headquarters.

The Liberals’ Indi federal electorate council chairman Tony Schneider said Mr Jasper was damaging the Coalition campaign, particularly Mr Corboy’s.

“To have someone who’s a long-time National party member and openly and actively encouraging members to vote against the Coalition ... I think it’s going to damage Marty’s campaign and Marty’s chances for sure,” he said.

“If I were a National Party member I’d be trying for his expulsion. If a member of the Liberal Party said that there’d be ramifications, no doubt about that.”

Mr Schneider said he did not believe Liberals would now refuse to preference Mr Corboy second.

“Liberal voters understand how the Coalition works and it’s much stronger when we work together. We’re encouraging our voters to stick to the how-to-vote card,” he said.

He denied tensions between the two parties had flared up again: “We’re cooperating very well on the ground.”

​Ms McGowan holds the seat by just 0.3 per cent. She will receive preferences from Labor and the Greens.

Mr Corboy would not comment, but issued a brief statement.

“Ken as an individual — like every member of our community can — to decide how he numbers his ballot paper,” he said.

“That is what makes our voting system great — every single one of us has a vote to use as we choose.”

Ms McGowan also issued a statement, thanking Mr Jasper for the support.

“Ken Jasper has a long and proud history of representing our community,” she said.

“Ken is a respected voice in the North East, and I welcome his support. It’s going to be a close election and second preferences will count.”