PQ leadership candidates accuse front-runner of playing dirty

With just over a month until the Parti Québécois (PQ) elects a new leader to replace Pierre Karl Péladeau, two candidates are accusing the front-runner of playing dirty and obstructing democracy.

The official opposition is holding its pre-session caucus in Gatineau, Que.

READ MORE: Pierre Karl Péladeau quits PQ leadership, politics

Leadership candidates Jean-François Lisée and Martine Ouellet are pointing the finger at Lac Saint-Jean MNA, Alexandre Cloutier, and insisting he has been blocking them from meeting with party members in riding associations that support him.

“So yes, I’m calling on Alexandre to tell his MNAs and the organizations that support him to be as open as they can and to have a level playing field.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "So yes, I'm calling on Alexandre to tell his MNAs and the organizations that support him to be as open as they can and to have a level playing field."

“All the ridings should be open to all the candidates because that’s democracy and it’s important for all the members in all the ridings to have the different views of all the candidates,” added Ouellet.

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READ MORE: Parti Québécois will vote for a new leader to replace Péladeau on Oct. 7

Cloutier, who is the apparent front-runner in the race, denied he employed any dirty tactics.

READ MORE: As PKP quits politics, others jockey for Parti Québécois leadership

He insisted reaching members is a struggle for any candidate in a leadership race.

“Everyone has trouble to access members. That’s the name of the game,” he said.

“Sometimes it’s harder to get to members for many reasons, sometimes we don’t get the invitation, sometimes they just weren’t able to talk to my organization for any type of reasons.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Sometimes it's harder to get to members for many reasons, sometimes we don't get the invitation, sometimes they just weren't able to talk to my organization for any type of reasons."

READ MORE: Véronique Hivon drops out of PQ leadership race

Last week, Joliette MNA Véronique Hivon was forced to drop out of the race as she recovers from an acute viral infection.

Lisée offered her some praise Wednesday morning, saying she was a candidate who engaged in politics with integrity and loyalty.

READ MORE: Sylvain Gaudreault named Parti Québécois interim leader

Also in the race for the party’s top job is Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, a lawyer who has no prior political experience.