Sophie Mirabella would be welcomed back into federal politics, former colleagues say, but the controversial former Liberal MP would likely face a three-cornered contest against independent Cathy McGowan and a Nationals candidate.

There is a growing belief among Coalition ranks that Ms Mirabella, a prominent Coalition frontbencher in opposition who is politically close to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, will attempt to reclaim the seat she lost to Ms McGowan by just 439 votes in 2013.

Former Indi MP Sophia Mirabella could be gearing up to re-contest the seat at the next election. Credit:Josh Robenstone

Over the weekend, Ms Mirabella made her second high profile appearance in her old seat in a fortnight when she joined Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce at the Wangaratta show, according to the Border Mail.

At the same time, an Australian Electoral Commission investigation into the enrolment details of 27 people who voted in Indi - some of whom were young volunteers who worked on Ms McGowan's campaign - has heightened speculation Ms Mirabella will re-enter the political fray. That investigation will not, however, trigger a by-election.