Investigation could quash MLA’s candidacy
Premier Jim Prentice said Wednesday MLA Naresh Bhardwaj won’t stand as a Progressive Conservative candidate if a police investigation into bribery allegations still hangs over his head when an election is called.
“I believe in his innocence. I know him quite well as a human being and I believe he’s innocent, but that has to take its course,” Prentice told the Journal editorial board.
Bhardwaj stepped down from his cabinet post as associate minister of persons with disabilities and later withdrew as the PC candidate in Edmonton- Ellerslie after the allegations surfaced last month.
Bhardwaj, a two- term MLA, had faced a challenge in the nomination race from Balraj Manhas, the president of the United Cabbies Association of Edmonton. Manhas said Bhardwaj somehow obtained his nomination papers and approached his backers to withdraw their support. One, Balvir Sidhu, alleged Bhardwaj offered him $ 10,000.
The NDP forwarded the allegations to the Edmonton police, who continue to investigate.
“The matter of the police investigation has to be resolved. He can’t be in a circumstance where he’s a candidate for a party while he’s under investigation,” Prentice said. Kelley Charlebois, the executive director of the PC party, said this week “everything is still on the table” for Edmonton- Ellerslie.
The party has the choice to appoint a candidate or reopen the nomination process, he said.
“We’re just sort of in a holding pattern waiting to see what happens with the Edmonton Police Service and what steps they’re taking,” Charlebois said.
Under Elections Alberta rules, the party has until the 10th day of the campaign to name a candidate in the riding, he noted.
The party also has yet to name a candidate in Edmonton- Centre. Prentice said he has no plans to install a “star candidate.” Charlebois said all options remain available in that riding, which has been held by Liberal Laurie Blakeman since 1997.