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Dosanjh Dubbed 'Betrayer', 'Assassin'

A P Kamath

As the fortunes of British Columbia Premier Glen Clark plummeted last week with the revelation that he was under criminal investigation for alleged corruption, Attorney-General Ujjal Dosanjh's name was continually in the news.

Initially, because he made public the nature of the investigation which led Clark to step down. Then there were speculations that he would be chosen to lead the party after a November meeting of the National Democratic Party legislators.

Dosanjh did not order the investigation, but once he was informed that the legal department had strong reasons to probe Clark, he went public.

Clark stepped down late last week and soon some of his supporters began questioning Dosanjh's motive and whether his personal ambitions had become so strong that he decided to go public about the investigation.

Clark has been mired in the crisis for over six months, but his resignation was the direct result of Dosanjh's revelation. Clark loyalists feel the investigation would not have revealed any wrongdoing and he would have been able to complete his term.

Convinced that Dosanjh is a betrayer, Clark loyalists are trying to stop him clinching the leadership this year -- or seek the top position after the next general election. Speaking anonymously, the legislators accused Dosanjh of "assassinating" Clark by "putting a knife into his back".

Vancouver newspapers have run several stories quoting party members to the effect that Dosanjh has mortally wounded his chances of becoming the first Asian premier of British Columbia. Dosanjh, born and raised in India, lived in England for many years working as an assistant editor of a Punjabi newspaper, migrated to British Columbia. He was a mill worker for several years while he earned a law degree. He eventually founded a law firm and ran successfully for a legislative seat.

Even Mo (Mohinder) Sihota, the social development minister, is said to be upset with his friend Dosanjh. Sihota, a mercurial and suave young politician, said he had wanted Clark to continue till the special prosecutor found hard evidence of political corruption.

But Dosanjh's supporters say he could not have hidden the nature of the investigation, and that he told Clark and the party leaders about it before going public. Several independent legal and constitutional experts such as Stephen Owen also believe that Dosanjh behaved properly and within constitutional bounds.

"Someone has to stand up and put the public at ease that the justice system is working properly," Owen told reporters. "If he takes political heat for that, well, that is just one of the knocks of the role"

Dosanjh, who is in his second term as attorney general, defended his action, telling reporters, "I have the responsibilities that go far beyond my political responsibilities."

"I have never allowed my politics to interfere with them," he added.

It was not an easy decision to make, Dosanjh said, adding that he had spent many sleepless nights, weighing his options. He said it was one of the most difficult decisions of his life, and once he made it, and informed Clark and party leaders, he had no choice about going public.

The news about the investigation would certainly have leaked out, and Dosanjh might have emerged as an accomplice in saving Clark's political life, his admirers say. They believe the efforts to punish Dosanjh are akin to punishing a messenger than finding out how the message came about.

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