Liberal MP Randeep Singh Sarai is stepping down from the Pacific Caucus chair following the recent controversy in India.
In his announcement on social media, Sarai apologized for his role in the recent events involving Surrey businessman Jaspal Atwal and vowed to exercise better judgment in future.
I want to again apologize for my role in recent unfortunate events. Moving forward, I will be exercising better judgment. As I don't want to distract from the good work of the Pacific Caucus, I will be stepping down as caucus chair.
— Randeep S. Sarai (@randeepssarai) February 28, 2018
Senior Canadian officials maintain Atwal — once convicted of attempted murder of an Indian cabinet minister — was removed from the guest list of a reception with Trudeau in India because he was politically controversial, not because he was a security threat.
Atwal was interviewed on Saturday by the The Canadian Press at his home in Surrey, B.C., following Trudeau's, at times, turbulent trip to India. Late on Sunday night, Atwal said he is not suggesting he and the prime minister are friends, but he has known Trudeau for years.
Atwal says he received an invitation directly from the Canadian high commissioner's office for the event in New Delhi last week.
