"Turbans and Punjabis have no place in this party," Singh told a crowded press conference in Brampton last week.

"The Conservative Party of Canada has no respect for the Sikhs and the Sikh community of the Bramalea-Gore-Malton," said Singh, adding: "I want to request the people to ask for an investigation as to why Sikhs are not getting government funding."

A spokesman for the Conservative Party declined comment.

"Parvinder Singh resigned as a candidate and we have accepted his resignation," said Fred DeLorey, communications director for the Conservative Party of Canada. "We will not be commenting further."

In October 2009, Singh won the party nomination for Brampton's Bramalea-Gore-Malton riding, but last week surprisingly resigned his candidature.

Disclosing the reasons behind his resignation, Singh alleged he was forced to pull out just because 'of being a Sikh'.

"I had no option but to quit... they told me to resign or I will be sacked," said Singh.

"I am not the only oneâ?¦ in 2008 two other Sikhs were purposely disqualified just to enable Stella Ambler (the nominated candidate for Mississauga-South) to be a Conservative candidate for the next federal elections," Singh further alleged.

He said some allegations against him - according to which he supposedly hid his last name from the party - were clearly engineered.

In reply to pointed media questions, Singh added: "I didn't mean my party is wrong. I joined it on principle, and I still like it and my leader Stephen Harper, and I will continue to be part of this party.

"Today I came out publicly because my leader (Harper) and the party are being badly and irresponsibly served by some members of the staff," Singh charged.

He said he had criminal charges against him, but noted the High Court of Ontario had found him innocent. However, he added, some people didn't accept the (court) decision and thought he should not be allowed to stand.

"Party members continued to dialogue with my partners, with whom I had disputes on business shares. I have evidence that Tasha Woodcock (Senior Political Operations Officer, Ontario) and others pursued relations with my partners in an effort to get rid of me. This action was clearly inappropriate.

"When all these efforts didn't work, Woodcock did a credit check on me and it revealed that 'Parvinder Kelly' resided at my address.

"This was used as evidence against me, that I had an alternate name... actually the 'Kelly' name was used as surname by my former wife, and I have never used the name 'Parvinder Kelly'.

"I was summoned to a meeting Feb 9 by the party's director of political operations in which I was asked to resign or (threatened with being) sacked because I hid my name. He (the director) didn't listen to me and, while looking at my turban, said: 'I don't trust you'.

"It was a very sad moment of my life where democracy is being undermined. Not only is democracy being undermined, but Punjabis and the Sikh community is also being looked at in an inappropriate manner."

Singh said he has always used his name 'Parvinder Singh' in all documents such as driver's licence, SIN card, immigration papers, bank accounts, etc. He said he is a fighter and would fight for his rights, but added he has no plan to contest the polls as an independent.