05
May
Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Naresh Bhardwaj, a former Progressive Conservative MLA and cabinet minister, has secured the United Conservative Party (UCP) nomination for the Edmonton-Ellerslie riding. The UCP announced his nomination, emphasizing his prior experience as a two-term MLA and Associate Minister of Persons with Disabilities under Premier Jim Prentice. Bhardwaj previously represented Edmonton-Ellerslie from 2008 to 2015. He withdrew from the 2015 election amid bribery allegations; however, an internal party investigation found inconsistencies in the evidence, and the Edmonton Police Service concluded its investigation without laying any charges. His nomination sets the stage for a competitive race in the upcoming…