2 Indo-Canadian MPs spar over group's leadership

Two Indo-Canadian members of Parliament -- one Conservative and one Liberal -- are reportedly arguing over leadership of the Canada-India (Parliamentary) Friendship Group.

Conservative MP Deepak Obhrai is the founder of this group and he believes leadership should be his on asking.

Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla disagrees and so she's challenging him for leadership.

A report in the National Post says there was vote on the executive of the group on June 6, 'where Dhalla was expected to be acclaimed chair, taking over from Obhrai, whose name appeared on ballot at the last minute.'

Dhalla, according to this report, said she would question the process. In a complaint on Saturday, she said, "He immediately put his finger in my face and started yelling at me, saying, 'If you raise anything during the meeting, just watch what happens to you. Don't start with me'." Dhalla also said that Obhrai called her 'crybaby'.

33-year old MP Dhalla from Brampton-Springdale retorted, "I am not a crybaby" and at that stage, Obhrai again lost his cool and yelled at her saying, "After what you did to me, just watch what I will do to you. I'm going to smear your reputation," Dhalla quoted Obhrai as saying.

None of the two MPs were available to answer questions from this reporter as to what actually happened and where the issue of the leadership of Canada-India Friendship Group now stands.

Photographs: Deepak Obhrai (top) and Ruby Dhalla (below)