RICHMOND – Olympian Arjan Bhullar’s mother Sal Bhullar threw her hat in the political ring on Monday, announcing her intention to run for Richmond council inside the Bhullar family training facility where the clan produced top wrestlers like her husband Avtar, her son Arjan and her nephew Jagroop Bhullar.
Sal Bhullar, 50, is an Air Canada service agent and certified yoga instructor. She grew up in South Vancouver, moving to Richmond 30 years ago with her husband, reported Richmond Review newspaper.
Her announcement included a commitment to a trio of issues: “affordability for the next generation, accountability for the elected officials and improving the quality of life for everyone in Richmond.”
In a short speech, Bhullar also spoke of income inequality.
“It’s very difficult to see children to make ends meet. There should be more done so that these children can have a quality of life. Holding two or three jobs in order to pay bills just isn’t the way life should be for anybody.”
Bhullar family members flanked both candidates inside the gym, whose walls are adorned with mementos of sporting achievements.
Her son Arjun Bhullar, who won Gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and competed in the 2012 London Olympic Games, called his mom a strong woman, and noted in South Asian culture, women haven’t always had a voice.
- Sal along announced her candidacy along with Richmond Fire-Rescue captain Kirby Graeme, both of whom will be running with the Richmond Community Coalition slate—a new party that is running six
- The two-week nomination period, where would-be candidates can make their election plans official at city hall, only began Tuesday but it already appears this year’s ballot will be crowded with 18 council candidates who have already declared.
- Council is crowded but a challenger has yet to surface for incumbent mayo Malcolm Brodie.
The candidate nomination period ends Oct. 10. Voters go to the polls Nov. 15.
