Explained | Who is Jagmeet Singh, key ally of Canadian PM Justin Trudeau who vowed to bring him down?

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's popularity and grip on power seems to be hanging by a thread after the New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh, a key ally, said he would introduce a motion to topple the minority Liberal government.

Singh took to social media to announce that he would declare a loss of confidence in the Trudeau-led Liberal government next year.

The New Democratic Party, headed by Singh, is helping keep Trudeau retain his prime ministerial seat.

If Singh's NDP retracts it's support, it will be the final straw for Trudeau. The NDP will be the last of the three main opposition parties to turn its back on Canadian Prime Minister.

In his letter, Singh wrote, "Justin Trudeau has failed in the most important task of a prime minister: to work for the people, not the powerful."

He further wrote, "The Liberals don't deserve another chance. The NDP will vote to bring down this government and give Canadians the opportunity to vote for a government that will work for them."

He said the New Democrats plan to use their next opposition day in the House of Commons — during which opposition priorities are given precedence over government business — to introduce the vote, reports PTI.

The House is currently on its winter break and is set to resume on January 27.

Who is  Jagmeet Singh?

Singh became the first non-white politician in 2017 to head a major political party in the Canada.

Born in Scarborough, Ontario, Singh comes from a family of Sikhs. His father hails from Thikriwala in Barnala district and his mother is from Ghudani Khurd in Ludhiana.

Known for his brightly coloured turbans and well-cut suits, Singh is an advocate of rights of people of colour and LGBTQ community.

Singh grew up in St John's, Newfoundland and Labrador and Windsor, Ontario.

He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Western Ontario in 2001 and a Bachelor of Laws degree from York University's Osgoode Hall Law School in 2005.

He worked as a criminal defence lawyer in the Greater Toronto Area before entering politics.

Singh’s letter came as questions swirled about the future of Trudeau, with at least 21 Liberal MPs now calling for him to resign.

Singh's announcement is the latest in a series of political setbacks suffered by Trudeau this week after the resignation of Chrystia Freeland, who was his deputy prime minister and finance minister.

The New Democrats ended their parliamentary alliance with the Liberals in early September, but have repeatedly declared confidence in the government when the Conservatives have introduced votes to bring the Trudeau government down.

(With PTI inputs)