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Dosanjh's prospects improve

Arthur J Pais in Vancouver

Despite a vicious campaign attacking his integrity and loyalty and ongoing efforts to sabotage his chances of becoming the leader of his party, several polls taken this week show that Ujjal Dosanjh has the public behind him.

The outspoken attorney-general, known for his tough stance on crime against women and children, is facing internal challenges in the New Democratic Party. Some party leaders, including fellow Sikh politician and Social Development Minister Moe Sihota, had a party election postponed from November to early next year. They clearly hoped that Dosanjh's current popularity would wane by then.

British Columbia Premier Glen Clark resigned last month amidst financial scandals, and a public announcement by Dosanjh that the federal government was investigating Clark.

Though his deputy replaced Clark, it was understood the arrangement will be temporary, and election was to be held within the NDP so that a candidate is chosen to lead the province till the general election is held after a year.

"I am worried about the divisive nature" of discussion, Dosanjh, who could be the first Asian to be a premier in Canada, says. He also adds that he finds the debate about Clark's successor "too rancorous". And to whose who have whispering behind his back that he was motivated by personal greed and hence made the charges against Clark public, Dosanjh has said he expects them to look into his eyes and repeat the allegations.

Though Dosanjh could win enough votes to be the leader of the NDP next year, his chances of winning a general election for his party are not bright, polls show. Liberal Party leader Gordon Campbell could lead his party to easily beat NDP, political experts here say.

Others say that if Dosanjh consolidates his reputation and shows his party has inner discipline and a strong will to lead the province again, the NDP could be a winner.

Clark loyalists and those who dislike Dosanjh have questioned his motives in announcing to the public that Clark was under investigation for high crimes. Dosanjh says constitutional experts say that he did the right thing. Besides, he informed NDP leaders before going public.

The polls also show that the public appreciates his candor, and his standing among the public has been going up each week since Clark stepped down.

India-born Dosanjh migrated to Canada about two decades ago after a sojourn in England where he was an editor of a Punjabi weekly. In British Columbia, he worked on a lumberyard while pursuing a law degree. He began to get involved in mainstream politics in his college days.

His immediate rival in the party is Moe Sihota, but the chances of Sihota leading a serious challenge to Dosanjh are dim. On the other hand, Gordon Wilson, who has served as finance minister, seems to have better chances in challenging Dosanjh.

No prominent contender, including Dosanjh and Wilson, has formally declared their candidacy.

Next: Through The Eyes of an Outsider

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