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It’s a game of political musical chairs that has Victoria insiders abuzz, as they nervously do the math in the closely divided B.C. legislature.

Leonard Krog, the long-serving NDP MLA, is considering a run for the mayor’s office in his hometown of Nanaimo this fall.

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And Rich Coleman, the veteran Liberal MLA and former interim leader of his party, might run for mayor of Surrey.

The backroom wheeling and dealing has set Victoria’s political grapevine aflame — with most of the buzz centred on Krog’s looming decision.

That’s because if Krog goes for it — and sources tell me he’s ready, willing and raring to go — it would set up a crucial byelection in which the governing NDP-Green alliance’s hold on power would be put on the line.

“If the NDP lost that byelection, it would be curtains for the government,” said Liberal strategist Mike McDonald.

It’s all about the numbers game in the minority parliament.