Eby poised to become B.C. premier after Appadurai disqualified from NDP leadership race

The B.C. NDP's executive has voted to disqualify Anjali Appadurai from the party's leadership race, clearing the way for her opponent David Eby to become premier.

The B.C. NDP's executive has voted to disqualify Anjali Appadurai from the party's leadership race, clearing the way for her opponent David Eby to become premier.

The vote comes after a report from the NDP's chief electoral officer Elizabeth Cull recommended disqualification over alleged breaches of the leadership contest's rules.

"This has been a challenging period for members of the party, and I thank Elizabeth Cull, the party’s table officers and the executive for their dedication to their roles. I know they did not make this decision lightly," NDP president Aaron Sumexheltza said in a statement Wednesday evening.

With Eby now unopposed, the party's chief electoral officer is "considering moving up the election date," Sumexheltza added. More information is expected to be shared Thursday.

An environmental activist, Appadurai joined the leadership contest after the majority of the NDP's MLAs had endorsed Eby, widely seen as the front-runner to replace outgoing Premier John Horgan.

Her leadership campaign focused on energizing young people, who she argued had become disillusioned with the party over its lack of radical action on climate change.

Ahead of the vote, Appadurai said on Twitter that she believed this message had resonated with people and attracted a large number of new members to the party.