INDOCANADIAN MP QUITS OVER ‘GAMBLING PROBLEM’ ROW

TORONTO: An Indo-canadian MP suddenly quit his seat in the House of Commons because he had a “gambling problem that led him to incur significant personal debts”, according to the Canadian Prime Minister’s Office.

The resignation of Raj Grewal, 33, was unexpected. Grewal said in a statement he has informed the Chief Government Whip that I will be resigning as an MP for Brampton East due to personal and medical reasons”.

The PMO said in a statement, “Mr Grewal told us he is undergoing personal challenges, and that he is receiving treatment related to a gambling problem that led him to incur significant personal debts.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted he had learned that Grewal was “facing serious personal challenges”.

There is speculation in the Canadian media as to other factors behind Grewal’s decision. The PMO’S statement said, “We are aware of inquiries by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police regarding the circumstances that were the subject of a complaint to the Ethics Commissioner about Mr Grewal.”

The complaint by an MP of the New Democratic Party involves a request for a probe into potential ethical violations when Grewal travelled to India as Trudeau made a bilateral visit in February. Questions were raised over conflict of interest as Grewal had invited the CEO of a company, from which he received employment income, to events featuring Trudeau and other Canadian officials.