Jagmeet Singh's defeat in Canada polls erodes political support to Khalistan, Indians celebrate fall

The party contested in 343 seats in the crucial federal elections. Singh, who was holding the strings of the previous Justin Trudeau government, himself lost the Burnaby Central seat from British Columbia.

As the news reached India, everyone- from diplomats to common people and victims of the Khalistani movement- celebrated the debacle of Singh, who was seen as a frontman of Khalistan support in Canada.

Former Ambassador to Canada Vikas Swarup, in a video interview to PTI, said: “This is good news for us.”  “It is certainly going to be a positive development for our bilateral relations," he said.

Aviation veteran Sanjay Lazar, who lost his entire family in the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing (Kanishka tragedy) by the Khalistanis, and wrote the book  On Angels’ Wings, said: "Bang on ! The despicable Jagmeet has gone, hopefully forever, with his million dollar pension and his Maserati and Armani suits. The fraud is no longer part of Canadian Parliament !"

Journalist and The Mojo Story editor Burkha Dutt posted on X: "The defeat of Jagmeet Singh , backer in chief of Khalistanis in Canada , comes as super news for India."

Journalist Man Aman Singh Chhina, who is a defence and security affairs writer, posted on X: "One of the best things to come out of Canadian elections. Jagmeet Singh’s defeat."

Disappointed, says Jagmeet Singh
 

Following his defeat Singh wrote on X: "I am disappointed 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," he said.

Burnaby Central Lost

Singh received a jolt in his political career since he is on the verge of being defeated in the Burnaby Central seat, where he is likely to finish third.

Speaking on his defeat, he said: " It's been the honour of my life to lead the NDP, and to represent the people of Burnaby Central."

With 198 of 200 polls reporting, Wade Chang, of the Liberal Party, is projected to win in Burnaby Central. As of 4:39 a.m., Chang has 21,136 of 50,171 votes (42.13%), reported Toronto Star.

James Yan, of the Conservative Party, is in second place with 19,436 votes (38.74%) and incumbent Jagmeet Singh, of the New Democratic Party, is in third with 9,104 votes (18.15%), the newspaper reported.

In the previous polls, the NDP had secured 24 seats.

Khalistan Factor

Singh's defeat is seen as a major defeat for the Khalistani outfits in Canada, whose activities were increasing in recent years with impunity amid open political backing by the likes of Singh.

Singh has been a vocal supporter of Khalistani politics.

His views were often aligned with the objectives of the  Khalistani movement which seeks to establish a separate Sikh state in India.

Mike Carney Returning To Power

Canada's Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, is now on course to win the federal election and form the government for the fourth consecutive term, a rare event in the country's politics.

In Canada, a party needs to get 172 seats to form a majority in the Parliament.

The Liberals are now ahead in 156 seats out of the 343 seats in the Parliament.

Canada witnessed a political change in leadership earlier this year when former PM Justin Trudeau resigned from the top position, paving the way for Carney to take charge of the country.

The key opposition Conservative Party, led by longtime parliamentarian Pierre Poilievre, was emerging as favourites to win the polls after Justin Trudeau stepped down, and is currently leading in 147 seats, clearly losing the chance to return to power.

Pierre Poilievre has conceded defeat.

The Bloc Quebecois, which only has candidates in Quebec, is ahead in 25 seats while The Greens are marching to win 2.