Liberal leadership candidate Ruby Dhalla is facing tough questions about possible foreign meddling from India and alleged irregularities in her campaign.
Two Liberal sources told the Globe and Mail that the Liberal Party recently sent Dhalla a 27 question list, giving her a deadline to respond.
Some of those questions focus on whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government might be involved in her leadership campaign.
The party is also investigating allegations of backroom support from Conservatives, including Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown.
There are concerns about 12 campaign donors and several staff members from Dhalla’s real estate, healthcare, and hotel company.
One source said lawyer Alexis Levine, acting for the Liberal Party, questioned why six couples made donations using the same credit card.
Those donors were asked to sign attestations confirming they share bank accounts.
The party also demanded Dhalla provide all campaign phone records and requested four volunteers from the Dhalla Group of Companies file affidavits swearing they are unpaid volunteers.
It remains unclear how these issues will affect her candidacy before the party’s leadership debates next Monday and Tuesday in Montreal.
The Liberals are set to choose a new leader and prime minister on March 9, replacing outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Justice Marie-Josee Hogue warned in her final election interference report that foreign interference undermines public trust in elections.
Hogue reported suspicions that India used proxy agents to secretly fund candidates from multiple parties.
Dhalla has clashed with Liberal brass before.
Her request for a translator at the upcoming French debate on February 24 was denied.
Despite not being fluent in French, she plans to attend, delivering brief opening and closing remarks but avoiding further participation in the debate.
Dhalla, elected in 2004 as the first woman of Indian origin in Parliament, was defeated in 2011.
In November, she was named Outstanding Woman Hotelier of the Year by the Asian American Hotel Owners Association.
