MISSISSAUGA, Oct 3,
2003
THE MISSISSAUGA NEWS
CHRIS CLAY
Dr. Kuldip Kular, the Liberal candidate in the Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale
riding, used "A strong voice for our community"
as his campaign slogan during the 2003 provincial
election.
Kular certainly was that voice, capturing the riding
with 18,280 votes, 3,371 more than incumbent Raminder
Gill's 14,909. Cesar Martello had 4,908 votes, Ernst
Braendli of the Green Party 1,176 , Frank Chilelli
868, and Communist Howard Cukoff 50.,
Kular's supporters didn't have to wait long at his
Brampton campaign headquarters to break into jubilant
cheers. He was declared the winner by 8:52 p.m.
"You people fought so hard, thank you for your
effort and hard work," Kular said, as he was
mobbed by well-wishers. "I'm indebted to the
people of this riding. You put your interest in me
and I assure you, I will give 100 per cent as your
representation."
Kular, a resident of Brampton for 17-years, and a
practicing physician, said he never believed his win
to be a sure thing.
"It's never in the bag," said the 54-year-old.
"We worked hard right until the last minute...at
the end of the day, the results are there."
When asked why voters turned out en masse to support
a political unknown like himself, Kular gave credit
to new Ontario premier, Dalton McGuinty.
"We believed in our leader and we believed he
was up to the job," said the father of four.
"He ran a positive campaign and that's why the
Liberals hold a majority."
When asked how, as a campaign manager, Mark Holland
approached Kular's political inexperience, he said
the old approach worked the best.
"He went door-to-door since February and we
estimate he knocked on over 30,000 doors," said
the 28-year-old. "He met people face to face.
We kept hearing he was the only candidate to visit
people's doors during the campaign."
Raminder Gill, who captured 18,442 votes in the 1999
election, nearly 4,000 more than Liberal runner-up
Dave Toor, was gracious in defeat. Gill went over
to Kular's headquarters to personally congratulate
his opponent.
"I wish the new government...and the new premier,
Dalton McGuinty, the best," he said. "We
ran an extremely well-run, classy campaign. Sometimes,
people feel like a change. I'm quite humbled (by the
voters' decision) and I want to thank them all for
allowing me to serve."
Gill kept the door open for another campaign in four
years, but not before getting some rest.
"I'm going to have to recuperate and take a
well-needed vacation," he said. "This is
not the last campaign we've won or lost."
