Ottawa, Apr 29 (UNI) In a decisive outcome in Canada’s federal elections, pro-Khalistan leader Jagmeet Singh stepped down as New Democratic Party (NDP) leader after his party saw its worst ever poll drubbing. This could potentially be good for Indo-Canadian relations which have seen a sharp downturn in recent years, due to Canada’s pandering of Khalistani elements.
The pro-Khalistan party leader saw his party’s influence being significantly curtailed in Canada’s House of Commons, as Mark Carney’s Liberal Party surged ahead with 168 seats—cementing its status as Canada’s dominant political force and ushering in a new era of centrist governance.
Jagmeet Singh, announced his resignation as party leader, after the NDP lost its Burnaby Central constituency in British Colombia during the current federal elections. Singh came a distant third in Burnaby Central.
The NDP failed to secure even the minimum 12 seats required to maintain its official party status in Parliament.
Singh posted on X after his loss:
“It’s been the honour of my life to lead the NDP and to represent the people of Burnaby Central. Congratulations to Prime Minister Carney, and to all the other leaders on a hard-fought campaign. I know this night is disappointing for New Democrats. I am disappointed that we could not win more seats. But I am not disappointed in our movement. I am hopeful for our Party. I know that we will always choose hope over fear.”
Singh, a close ally of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has been noted for his support to Khalistani separatists. Singh's NDP supported Trudeau's Liberal Party in 2021 to form government.
The NDP, which had ruled Burnaby Central, lost the latest polls badly as it received little more than 27.3 % of the votes, losing to Liberal candidate Wade Chang who reportedly secured over 40 %, according to CBS News.
As his party was closely aligned with the Trudeau administration in a coalition government, Canada saw a wide range of Khalistani demonstrations, including huge rallies, as well as desecration of the Indian High Commission and its consulates with anti-India and anti-Modi graffiti, and even threats being issued to Indian diplomats.
Relations between India and Canada went downhill last year when both sides expelled six of their diplomats in a tit-for-tat move, after Ottawa accused India of being involved in the gunning down of Khalistani leader and Indo-Canadian Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia two years ago. India denied the charges and asked Canada to show proof, which the latter failed to do so.
Singh's influence in the Parliament also saw rampant crimes by Khalistani outlaws, who engaged in smuggling, drug trafficking, murders, robberies, and inter-gang violence in major cities like Toronto, Ontario, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, etc.
As such, Singh’s defeat could mark a potential improvement in bilateral relations between New Delhi and Ottawa, as a new Centrist rule may adopt a more diplomatic tone with India, stop state support for hardline anti-India politics, and prioritise trade, education, and migration ties with India.
UNI ANV RN