Ottawa, Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is encountering resistance within his own party, as a number of Liberal MPs are calling for him to step aside and not seek a fourth term in office. Reports suggest that these Liberal MPs have set an October 28 deadline for Trudeau to announce his decision, with potential consequences if he chooses to stay on.

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Following a meeting with several Liberal members, Trudeau maintained a positive front, stating that the party remains "strong and united." However, the actions of approximately 20 MPs, who are pressuring him to leave, seem to tell a different story, according to the Associated Press.

Three MPs told AP that they were among over 20 Liberal lawmakers who signed a letter urging Trudeau to resign before the next election. One of them, Ken McDonald, an MP from Newfoundland, confirmed that he had signed the letter, which has not yet been made public. “He has to start listening, listening to the people,” McDonald said.

McDonald, who has decided not to run for re-election, mentioned that many of his colleagues who plan to contest upcoming elections are worried about the party's declining popularity and poor polling figures.

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During a three-hour caucus meeting, the letter was reportedly read aloud to Trudeau, outlining reasons why he should step down and not seek another term. The MPs have set October 28 as the deadline for Trudeau to announce his decision.

Although Trudeau has previously indicated that he intends to run again, he did not answer questions from reporters after the meeting. No Canadian prime minister has won four consecutive terms in over a century.

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The Liberal Party recently faced setbacks in special elections in Toronto and Montreal, two districts they had traditionally controlled, raising further concerns about Trudeau's leadership. As of now, Trudeau has not signed the letter from the MPs, though he has stated he is considering their demands.

This internal party pressure comes at a time when Canada-India relations are strained following Trudeau’s allegations last September, claiming Indian agents were "potentially" involved in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India dismissed these accusations as "absurd."

(With inputs from agencies)