First Sikh leader of Canada''s NDP kick-starts his party''s poll campaign

Varinder Singh
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, December 5

The leader of Canada's National Democratic Party (NDP) Jagmeet Singh -- the first person of a visible minority group to lead a Canadian federal political party -- and his outfit have virtually kicked off the poll campaign for the British Columbia's Burnaby South byelection and the 43rd Canadian federal polls.

While the 43rd Canadian federal polls are scheduled to take place on or before October 21, 2019, the dates for the byelection for the federal riding of Burnaby South in the BC are yet to be announced. The bypoll is to be held on or before March 18, 2019, as per Canadian law.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh -- also known as the first turban-wearing Sikh to be a provincial legislator in Ontario -- has already spent almost a month campaigning in the BC for the byelection and winning or losing the riding (seat) could decide his political future. After this, he addressed his party workers gathered from across the country in the capital Ottowa on Tuesday. In a campaign style, he informed the party rank and file that Canadians were struggling with an array of serious problems ranging from lack of housing, expensive medical treatment to uncertain employment.

While alleging that a large number of Canadians were distressed and felt that they had voted for something else (Liberals), the stylish 'Poster Boy' of Canadian magazines and publications Jagmeet said Canadians did not get what they had voted for and that they deserved something better (NDP).

The big question before the Canadian 'political pundits' and strategists of all major political parties was what if he loses the forthcoming byelection and whether he will survive as the leader of Canada's third biggest political party in case of such an 'eventuality'?

For political strategists and a section of Canadians, Jagmeet offered a 'very different' opposition to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his Liberal Party and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada for he had 'largely' gone un-noticed and for his party's political fortunes have 'floundered' over the period. They have a feeling that his brief as the leader of a party was to bring the NDP to the mainstream, but he was 'isolated', for Canadians have 'hardly heard' from him.

All eyes now are on Jagmeet and whether he manages to win the byelection or not? If he manages to put up a good show, PM Trudeau was expected to lose his voters with left leanings and even his government. In any case, Jagmeet Singh or Jimmy Dhaliwal holds the key whether Trudeau will stage his comeback or not.

 He had started his career as a criminal defence lawyer and who had jumped in the political arena in 2010 when he had contested the federal polls from Bramalea-Gore-Malton constituency. He was elected as NDP leader in October 2017.