BY RATTAN MALL

THE VOICE was the first to report (last Saturday on our website at www.voiceonline.com) that Surrey businessman Paul Brar and at least one other South Asian candidate (if not both the remaining ones) had been ordered by the Conservative Party to withdraw their nomination from the Cloverdale-Langley City riding.

We also reported that the candidates were likely to appeal, but the party would not bend.

The second candidate was former Conservative MP Gurmant Grewal.

Grewal on Thursday in a lengthy press release highlighted his past achievements and concluded: “I am proud of my record, achievements, and contributions and hoped to bring meaningful solutions to the problems faced by all of us. I have dedicated the prime of my life to helping to build the Conservative Party and its legacy parties. Though my silence is not my weakness, I have supported my Party and its leaders through thick and thin. I continue to support the Conservative Party of Canada and the Leadership of Prime Minister and wish them success in the next election.”

Party sources told us that when candidates sign their nomination forms they are told that the party can reject their forms without giving any reasons. Neither Brar nor Grewal were provided any reasons.

Sources said that the party had received a deluge of complaints against some candidates, but exactly what the party believed against Brar and Grewal will probably never be disclosed. However, they said it had to be something serious.

On Wednesday we reported on line that the third South Asian candidate Dave Hayer was still in the race.

The nomination meeting is scheduled for November 8 (Saturday) at AJ McLellan Elementary School at 16545 61 Avenue.

The other contenders for the nomination are life insurance salesman Mike Garisto, former Langley city councillor Dean Drysdale, and Surrey business lawyer Tako van Popta.

South Asians comprise only 10 per cent of the riding’s population. East Asians form another 10 per cent and the rest are all white.