Vice President Mokgweetsi Masisi's prolonged stay out of office has sparked intense contest among cabinet ministers seeking to be appointed to act in the second highest office in the land, The Patriot on Sunday has learnt. While Masisi recovers at home- three weeks after being admitted to a South African hospital-aggressive lobbying by opposing camps within the ruling party is alleged to be underway as the race for the second most powerful position takes shape. Government spokesperson Jeff Ramsay said during the week that Masisi is making good progress in hospital and is expected to be discharged soon. He said currently no one has been considered for appointment to act on behalf of Masisi and that such arrangement will be communicated to the nation, should the need arise. On Friday night Ramsay reported that Masisi is back in the country and resting at home. Sources within the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) say the VP’s prolonged absence is naturally stirring up speculation that President Ian Khama might appoint someone to hold the fort in the interim. The BDP leadership is said to be at wits' end trying to ensure that there is calm within its cadres as camps are quetly jostling…