Obhrai acknowledged an offer may have been on the table, though he wouldn't elaborate on what role he could've played. But he said he shut it down pre-emptively

WINNIPEG — Former leadership rival Deepak Obhrai says he informed Conservative leader Andrew Scheer he’s “not interested” in any special roles within their caucus.

Obhrai also told the Post he has no intention to leave parliament after finishing last on the first ballot in the May leadership election.

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Scheer recently announced his shadow cabinet, revealing which critics will line the Tory front bench when MPs head back to parliament Sept. 18. Obhrai and two other leadership rivals, Kellie Leitch and Brad Trost, were left off the list.

Obhrai acknowledged an offer from Scheer may have been on the table, though he wouldn’t elaborate on what role he could’ve played. But he said he shut it down pre-emptively. “I sent him a note to say I was not interested.”

I am still a Conservative. I have no plans to leave

Trost told the Post last week he’s comfortable with not being handed a specific portfolio, instead preferring to comment on a wider variety of issues. Leitch has also fallen into line but was not in Winnipeg for the Conservative caucus this week due to, apparently, another commitment.

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Obhrai was loved as a leadership candidate for adding comic relief to debates. For example, he constantly pitched himself as “Deepackage.” (You know, “the package.”)

The longest-serving Conservative member of parliament, Obhrai still acts as dean of his party. He is the only remaining MP who was originally elected as a member of Preston Manning’s Reform Party. He said he wants to mentor young Tories on how to understand the political system and get ahead.

Asked whether he will run in 2019, he said, “I am still a Conservative,” and “I have no plans to leave.”