CANADA: Metros Sikh community is one step closer to fulfilling its dream of electing Canada’s first Sikh Member of Parliament.

Realtor Gurbax Maihi won the hard-fought battle for Liberal nomination in the riding of Bramalea-Gore-Malton Dec.6 on the third ballot by a mere 31-vote over Inderjit Singh Bal touted by many as the frontrunner.

He beat out three Sikh contenders in the race the second largest in Liberal party history with more than 10000 members recruited. A frenzied six-candidate race in Mississauga West riding last month had 15000 members signed up.

Metros Asian community turned out Dec.6 in full force for the all-day nomination meeting at the International Center on Airport Rd.

The final tally was 2557 votes for Malhi along-time Sikh activist in the riding and 2526 for Inderjit Singh Bal a member of the governing council of the World Sikh Organization

“I believe with your co-operation were going to win this seat next year” Malhi told a crowd of almost 2000 Dec.6.

His exuberant supporters burst into applause when his victory was announced Chanting his name they hugged each other and jumped up and down in joy.

Malhi’s win came as a stinging blow to Bal touted as the frontrunner in the Sikh press and supported by MP. Bob Kaplan (York Center) and MPP Gregory Sorbara (York Center).

But he was gracious in defeat.

“Its great wish him good luck” said Bal.

But earlier in the day he noted that some members of rival camps had waged a smear campaign against him.

The question whether he had immigrated to the country legally was raised on a Punjabi radio show.

And a flyer distributed around the riding alleged he was waffling on his support for the creation of Khalistan an independent homeland for Sikhs so that he would not alienate any Hindus.

Bal hotly denied the accusations and like all the candidates maintained a neutral stance on the Khalistan question.

“Once you’re the frontrunner people try to bring you down by any means” he said.

His chief scrutinizer Jack Siegel reported witnessing one individual attempting to vote twice. Voting had been open from noon to 5 p.m. but after Siegel’s report identification of all voters was checked during the last two hours. More than 1000 memberships were challenged during the day.

The other candidates in the race were engineer Raminder Gill who dropped out after the second ballot and immigration and social services consultant Pam Gill (no relation) who dropped out after the first. Malhis victory was se~ cured by a deal struck in advance with the Raminder Gill camp. The two contenders had promised to support each other if one fell off the ballot.

Malhi also had the support of the riding associations’ executive which also worked to his advantage.

Malhi said its time a Sikh was elected to parliament. “Sikhs came to Ontario 50 years ago if nobody is representing us how can we fight for our rights?” he said.

He said the two big issues in the riding are unemployment and immigration. “After immigrating you must be able to bring your spouse to Canada immediately” he said.

Malhi stressed that if elected hell represents all Canadians.

Gurjit Grewal Bals campaign manager and the party’s candidate in the riding in 1988 said 14% of the constituency is Asian mostly Sikh but also Hindu and Muslim.

According to Plara Pannu president of the riding association 80% of the more than 10000 party members Sikh 10% Hindu 5% Muslim and 5% others.

Pam Gill questioned the ability of her opponents to appeal to the general electorate at election time

“You may be active in one community but you have to reach out to other communities” she said. (Courtesy Toronto star)

Article extracted from this publication >> December 18, 1992