22 February 2023: - In the height of Indian government-sponsored illegal activities in Canada and the killing of a Canadian citizen, some pro-India politicians attempted to take over the Canadian government.

Liberal Party Disqualifies Ruby Dhalla from Leadership Race

On February 21, 2025, the Liberal Party disqualified Ruby Dhalla from its leadership race, just days before scheduled debates in Montreal. Party national director Azam Ishmael stated that a thorough investigation revealed ten violations by Dhalla's campaign, including alleged breaches of the Canada Elections Act and inaccurate financial reporting. Dhalla has denied these allegations.

Ontario Liberal Candidate Viresh Bansal Suspended Over Controversial Posts

Viresh Bansal, the Ontario Liberal candidate for Oshawa, has been suspended following the resurfacing of past social media posts. In a 2023 post, Bansal responded to NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh's comments about the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, stating, "@theJagmeetSingh You can thank India for cleaning trash people. Ask your gay friend @JustinTrudeau to do the same." These remarks have been criticized for being both anti-Sikh and homophobic. The World Sikh Organization has called for Bansal's removal as a candidate. Bansal has since apologized, expressing deep regret for his "hurtful and thoughtless comments."

Liberal Leadership Hopeful Barred from Contest

In a separate incident, Chandra Arya, an Ontario Member of Parliament, announced that the Liberal Party has barred him from entering its leadership race. Arya, who was the first to declare his candidacy to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, expressed concerns about the legitimacy of the leadership race following the party's decision. While the specific reasons for his disqualification were not detailed, Arya has been known for his pro-India positions, including meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a personal trip in 2023—a move that drew criticism amid strained Canada-India relations.

These incidents underscore the complexities and sensitivities surrounding politicians with pro-India views in Canada's political landscape.