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Canada’s Liberal Party revokes Chandra Arya’s candidacy
In January, Arya was barred from entering the Liberal Party leadership race to replace Trudeau.
Chandra Arya / X
The Liberal Party of Canada revoked the candidacy of Indian-origin politician Chandra Arya for the upcoming federal election in Nepean.
The decision followed a review by the party’s Green Light Committee. National Campaign co-chair designate Andrew Bevan, in a letter to Arya said, “After careful consideration, based on a review of new information by the Chair of the Green Light Committee, the National Campaign Co-Chair is recommending the revocation of your status as a Candidate.”
Also read: Chandra Arya barred from contesting Liberal Party leadership race
Three-time MP, Arya, who has represented Nepean since 2015, announced the revocation in a statement on social media, calling the move “deeply disappointing.” He asserted that the decision was politically motivated, attributing it to his “outspoken advocacy” for Hindu Canadians and his opposition to Khalistani separatism. “The sole point of contention with the Liberal Party has been my outspoken advocacy on issues important to Hindu Canadians and my firm stance against Khalistani extremism,” Arya said in a statement to The Globe and Mail.
I have been informed by the Liberal Party that my nomination as the candidate for the upcoming federal election in Nepean has been revoked.
— Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) March 21, 2025
While this news is deeply disappointing, it does not diminish the profound honour and privilege it has been to serve the people of Nepean —… pic.twitter.com/Kw5HcsRf6Q
According to The Globe and Mail., a Canadian intelligence briefing raised concerns over Arya’s alleged close ties to the Indian government. Quoting a source, the publication reported that the concerns were linked to Arya’s visit to India last year, during which he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi without informing the Canadian government. The visit took place amid strained Canada-India relations following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegation that Indian agents were involved in the 2023 killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
The report further stated that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) had briefed government officials about Arya’s alleged connections to India’s High Commission in Ottawa. Liberal Party sources with security clearances also raised concerns, contributing to the decision to bar Arya from contesting the election.
This is not the first time Arya has faced political exclusion. In January, he was barred from entering the Liberal Party leadership race to replace Trudeau. The party has not publicly provided specific reasons for either decision.
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