Didn’t invite Atwal to dinner reception: Canadian MP Sarai

NEW DELHI : Canadian member of parliament (MP) Randeep Sarai said he is not a “scapegoat” and claimed that he “did not invite” convicted Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s reception dinner in New Delhi.

When asked if he is figuratively falling on a sword, Sarai, in an exclusive interview to Surrey Now-Leader, said: “Look, I took full responsibility as soon as I found out that this had happened and I, you know, the name came from my office. I should have vetted them before I forwarded them, I should have looked a bit more diligently at it, i am a new, young MP, a rookie you can say, so obviously I am learning from my mistakes.”

He claimed that he has seen Atwal at public events, but does not have any other relation with him.

“I didn’t invite the person (Jaspal Atwal). He’s a media personality. He’s associated with Media Waves, the radio, and he’s around everywhere. We did go on his radio pre-election, kind of during the writ period time. Afterwards I’ve been on it a couple of times, he’s been around socially in the community here in Surrey for years now,” Sarai, Liberal MP for Surrey Centre, said.

“I’ve seen him around but I don’t have anything beyond socially when we see him at media events or at public events. I don’t have any other relationship with him,” the MP added.

Sarai also said he has no intention of stepping down from his job. He, however, took full responsibility of the fiasco.

“I am the eldest in my staff. Everyone else in there is in their

I took full responsibility when I found out that this had happened as the name came from my office. I should have vetted the names before I forwarded them. I am a new, young MP, so obviously I am learning from my mistakes. RANDEEP SARAI, Liberal MP, Surrey Centre

early twenties. We should have vetted better, we should have been more diligent. I just forwarded the names that I received. I take full responsibility. I’ve, as you know, stated that and I should have done better, I should have searched the names up and done my due diligence better,” he said.

For the unversed, Atwal was invited to dine with Prime Minister Trudeau during his visit to India at a formal event hosted by Canadian high commissioner to India Nadir Patel. The invite was later rescinded.

Atwal was convicted of the attempted murder of Punjab minister, Malkiat Singh Sidhu, on Vancouver Island in 1986.