MONTREAL — Indo-Canadians should stop trading the community’s fabled ability to mobilize mass grass-roots support for particular candidates in return for patronage rewards, a prominent B.C. Liberal activist has told party members in an open letter.
Sandhu, active in federal, provincial and municipal politics on the west coast, said there is “unprecedented” Indo-Canadian involvement in the eight-person Liberal leadership race that concludes here Saturday.
But the community failed to advance a single policy resolution here that specifically addresses matters important to the Sikh community.
“I have heard many horror stories of the promises/wish list of many prominent members in our community as rewards for their contribution in electing the next liberal leader,” wrote Sandhu, who is not attending the convention.
“Some want a (Senate) appointment; some want patronage appointments; some want staffing positions for their sons/daughters; some want to still be the next consul general in Chandigarh.
“Though we have every right to demand such positions, I ask you: are we really projecting our proud community in the rightful manner? Are we not putting ‘personal ambition’ ahead of community concerns?”
