Resign by October 28, Liberal lawmakers tell Justin Trudeau amid India-Canada row

No Canadian prime minister has won four straight terms in over 100 years.

Amid India-Canada row, several Liberal lawmakers have been urging Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaun to not seek a fourth term.

According to news agency  AP,  these Liberal MPs have issued Trudeau a deadline of October 28 to make his decision. Some Liberal MPs said that Trudeau “must leave by October 28” or face unspecified consequences, reported news agency AP.

Meanwhile, after holding a meeting with several members of his political party, Trudeau said that the Liberals are “strong and united”.  Three Liberals said they were among a total of 20 plus lawmakers from the party to have signed a letter asking Trudeau to step down before the next election, reported AP.

There are 153 Liberals in Canada’s House of Commons. "He has to start listening, listening to the people," said Ken McDonald, a Liberal Member of Parliament from Newfoundland who said he signed the letter, which has not been made public.

McDonald, who has decided not to run for MP against, said that many of his colleagues who are planning to contest in the upcoming elections are nervous because of poor polling numbers. he letter was reportedly read out to Trudeau during the caucus meeting of the Liberals, which lasted three hours, presenting arguments for the prime minister to resign from his post and not run for a fourth term. The letter stated that Trudeau needs to make this demand by October 28.

Trudeau, who previously has said he plans to run again, didn't take questions from reporters after the meeting. No Canadian prime minister has won four straight terms in over 100 years.

"There is what would you call some palace drama going on right now. And that takes us away from the number one job, which is focusing on Canadians," said Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault, a Liberal Party member. Not all Liberal members of Parliament came out in support of Trudeau.

"It’s the decision of the leader of the party as to whether he stays on as leader," said Ontario Liberal lawmaker Yvan Baker said, as reported by AP.

Charles Sousa, a Liberal Member of Parliament representing a suburban Toronto constituency, stated that Trudeau is currently reflecting on the situation. He also clarified that he did not sign the letter.

Trudeau's Liberal Party recently faced setbacks in special elections in two long-held districts, Toronto and Montreal, raising doubts on his leadership.
The Liberals trail the opposition Conservatives 38% to 25% in the latest Nanos poll. The poll of 1,037 respondents has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

The development comes amid Trudeau's allegations in September 2023 of “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. New Delhi rejected Trudeau's charges as "absurd".

However, last week Trudeau referred to findings by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and claimed that it has "clear and compelling evidence that agents of the government of India have engaged in, and continue to engage in, activities that pose a significant threat to public safety”.

(With inputs from agencies)