PCs block SSW contender on eve of nomination

And the Stiles paradox

SCOOP — The PC candidate nomination contest in Scarborough Southwest will have one less contender on Thursday.

MURSHED NIZAM, an accountant and active member of the riding’s rich Bengali community, has been red-lit and won’t be on the ballot, Queen’s Park Observer has learned.

That leaves three contenders on the board for tomorrow night’s contest: ASM TARUN, a family physician who ran for the federal Tories in the 2025 election…AYESHA SARDAR, a community organizer…and GAZI SIJAN, an HR professional.

The PCs were forced to hold an open nomination to pick their candidate after heavyweight GARY CRAWFORD, former councillor and city budget chief, bowed out of the running.

It wasn’t immediately clear why Nizam was disqualified. Party officials kept it pretty high-level — they typically don’t reveal specifics — only noting that all would-be contestants go through a vetting process and must follow the rules throughout the competition.

Reached by phone, Nizam would only say he felt “bad” about the decision. He had been canvassing the neighbourhood and signing up members for weeks.

Alas, as the old saying goes: political parties operate much like a private country club in that they get final say over who gets to carry their banner in public elections. Wannabe candidates are vetted for potential political liabilities and must stick to party process for everything from membership sign-ups to the nitty-gritty paperwork.

But if the PCs were hoping for a smooth race — perhaps to show up the Liberals after their own nomination drama featuring failed candidate NATE ERSKINE-SMITH — this latest development could throw a wrench into that plan.

Scarborough Southwest is a long-shot riding for the PCs, who haven’t held it since it was first drawn up — and especially since the incumbent NDP and challenger Grits have already been pounding the pavement while the ruling Tories scrambled for their own flag-bearer. FATIMA SHABAN is gunning to keep the seat orange, while AHSANUL HAFIZ is looking to turn it red.