1.2099100-200584610
Singh celebrates with supporters after his triumph in the New Democrat party contest for leader in Toronto, on Sunday. PM Trudeau congratulated his new political rival on Twitter and said he’s looking forward to “working together for Canadians”. Image Credit: AP

Toronto: An Ontario provincial lawmaker and practicing Sikh was elected on Sunday as leader of Canada’s left-leaning New Democrats, becoming the first non-white politician to head a major Canadian political party.

Jagmeet Singh, a 38-year-old lawyer whose penchant for fluorescent turbans and tailor-made three-piece suits made him a social media star, was elected on the first ballot to lead the New Democratic Party into the 2019 federal election against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

“Thank you, New Democrats. The run for Prime Minister begins now,” Singh tweeted.


Singh secured 53.6 percent of the vote, defeating three rivals to become the new head of the NDP, succeeding Thomas Mulcair.


The results of the online vote were announced at a party meeting in Toronto.

The Toronto-area politician, who led in fundraising since joining the race last May, had been touted by supporters as someone who could bring new life to the party, which has struggled since the death of charismatic former leader Jack Layton in 2011.

Third-largest party

The NDP is the third-largest party in the federal Parliament, with 44 of 338 seats.

The media-savvy Singh will now focus on rallying supporters and targeting center-left voters who helped propel Trudeau’s Liberals to a decisive victory in 2015.


There are hurdles ahead. Singh does not have a seat in the federal parliament and will have to win one in a special election.

He also needs to persuade voters that his party can form a government, although it has never held power federally.

Here's his speech before the party balloting: