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Chandra Arya barred from contesting Liberal Party leadership race
Despite meeting the fundraising criteria, Chandra Arya has now been barred from participating in the leadership race, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the process.
Chandra Arya / Image- X
Nepean MP Chandra Arya, the first to declare his candidacy for the Liberal Party leadership race, has been declared ineligible for the top political position in Canada.
The Liberal Party's Election Committee declared Chandra Arya "manifestly unfit for the office" of leader, citing public statements, past conduct, or other reputational issues. Specific reasons were not disclosed.
His exclusion, leaving six candidates in the race, has sparked controversy and raised questions about the transparency and legitimacy of the Liberal Party's leadership election process. The only other candidate of Indian descent remaining in the contest is Ruby Dhalla, a former Liberal MP from Brampton-Springdale.
The Liberal Party clarified that it regularly reviews the credentials of all candidates for the leadership race and may finalize the list in the coming weeks before the final vote and announcement of the new leader on March 9.
Arya was the first Liberal Party MP of South Asian descent to express his lack of confidence in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after a revolt began unfolding in the party late last year. He was also the first to **back** Chrystia Freeland after she resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister on December 17, just hours before presenting the fall Finance Report. He later entered the leadership race.
Arya also took to social media to express his anguish over his exclusion from the contest.He wrote: “First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers across Canada who have worked tirelessly, day and night, over the past two weeks to mobilize support for my Liberal leadership campaign.
“Your unwavering dedication inspires me. I am deeply humbled and honored by the thousands of Canadians who joined the Liberal Party to support what I stand for and my policies aimed at building an economically prosperous Canada for our children and grandchildren.
“Your support means the world to me—thank you! Today, I was informed by the Liberal Party of Canada that I will not be permitted to enter the leadership race. While I await their official communication, I am carefully considering my next steps.
“This decision raises significant questions about the legitimacy of the leadership race and, by extension, the legitimacy of the next Prime Minister of Canada. I remain steadfast in my commitment to working hard for the benefit of all Canadians. With a focused approach, I will continue striving to ensure a secure and prosperous future for the generations to come.”
First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the hundreds of volunteers across Canada who have worked tirelessly, day and night, over the past two weeks to mobilize support for my Liberal leadership campaign. Your unwavering dedication inspires me.
— Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) January 26, 2025
I am deeply… https://t.co/EnR1u9ZFAt pic.twitter.com/F4Fk5sjDSl
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