Nepean MP Chandra Arya says he's been informed by the Liberal Party of Canada he's not permitted to run in the leadership contest to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

This decision raises significant questions about the legitimacy of the leadership race and, by extension, the legitimacy of the next prime minister of Canada,” Arya said in a social media statement.

there’s some big political drama unfolding in canada, and it directly involves an indian-origin leader! liberal mp chandra arya, who was gearing up to contest for the position of prime minister of canada,

Arya’s exit from the race leaves six candidates: former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland, former banker Mark Carney, House Leader Karina Gould, Nova Scotia MP Jaime Battiste and former MPs Frank Baylis and Ruby Dhalla. The party will announce the winner of the race on March 9.

OTTAWA - One of the seven Liberal leadership hopefuls says the party is not allowing him to run, as another high-profile cabinet minister endorsed Mark Carney on Sunday.

Arya thanked the hundreds of volunteers across Canada who worked “tirelessly” to “mobilise support” for his leadership campaign