PTC Special :Deepak Obhrai says he will run for the 2019 federal elections
PTC Special: Deepak Obhrai says he will run for the 2019 federal elections. “I will run for 2019 Federal elections,” Deepak Obhrai
Longest serving Conservative MP Deepak Obhrai has reiterated his stand to contest the 2019 federal elections. Deepak Obhrai, who ran for the party’s leadership but was the first to drop off the contest in May this year, has made it clear that he will run for the Federal elections.
This is what Deepak Obhrai said on his FB page yesterday:
“It has come to my attention that someone is spreading false rumours that I am retiring. I want to make it clear I have no intention of retiring and I will be running in the next election.
A challenge has been mounted against me by someone whom I have supported in his own political career in the past and whom I have always considered a friend.
This conspiracy was crafted while I was helping the Conservative Party across Canada, during our outreach effort in the by-election. This challenge came as a complete shock to the party, especially since I have been strong In promoting the party nationally.
The party has directed me to fight this challenge, therefore I have been given permission by the Party to excuse my duties in Ottawa to fight this ground battle.
I am calling on all my supporters old and new to join me in this battle to allow me to continue what I have been doing for the last 20 years, helping my constituents, and Canadians across the country.”
Born in Tanzania, Deepak attended school in three separate continents: in Tanzania, India and the United Kingdom. He immigrated to Canada with his family in 1977. In Canada, Deepak became heavily involved in his community, acting as President of the India – Canada Association and the Hindu Society of Calgary. Deepak was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Calgary East in 1997. He was then re-elected in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2011; successively.
Deepak was re-elected in the last general election held in October 2015, from the newly-formed Riding of Calgary Forest Lawn. Deepak is the longest-serving Conservative MP in Canada’s 42nd Parliament.
In January 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper appointed Deepak as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In March 2008, Deepak was vested with the additional responsibility of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Cooperation. In September 2013, Deepak was given the additional responsibility of Parliamentary Secretary for International Human Rights. In September 2013, Deepak was appointed to Her Majesty’s Privy Council for Canada, in recognition of his many years of public service as a Member of Parliament and in promoting the Government’s foreign affairs agenda internationally as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
As the founder-chair of the Canada-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, Deepak initiated many activities leading to further strengthening of Canada’s relations with India. For the past 15 years, Deepak has organized and hosted the National Diwali Celebration on Parliament Hill.
In 2009, the Government of India recognized Deepak for his contribution in strengthening Canada-India relations by awarding him the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award, the highest honour. given to overseas Indians. Deepak Obhrai and his wife, Neena, have two daughters: Priti and Kaajal, a son: Aman, son-in-law: Robin Martin, grandson: Davin Jacob and granddaughter Evasha.
PTC News
