There are more signs that Prime Minister Jean Chrétien may be losing his grip on the Liberal party. One of his most loyal ministers lost control of his riding executive in a bold takeover by supporters of Paul Martin.

Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal is in India, so he missed the annual meeting of the federal Liberal riding association in Vancouver-South Burnaby.

He made a videotaped pitch for support, but to no avail.

Shinder Purewal

Dhaliwal is a Chrétien supporter, and Chrétien supporters are an endangered species in British Columbia, where the party organization is controlled by someone else.

For years Paul Martin's fundraisers have bankrolled the party in the province; its executive is run by his friends, like Bill Cunningham, the Liberal president for B.C. "I've been very clear that I am a big fan of Paul Martin, yes," said Cunningham.

That was the backdrop for Thursday night's hostile takeover of Dhaliwal's riding executive by a slate of Martin supporters.

Herb Dhaliwal

"We have to make sure we listen to the people of this province and support Paul Martin and his leadership bid," said Shinder Purewal.

Martin supporters signed up hundreds of new members for the vote. Dhaliwal's team tried to do the same but, they say, the Martin supporters wouldn't give them enough membership forms.

"It seems to me the party is not open to everyone today and that is a dangerous, dangerous precedent," said party executive member Prem Vinning.

Dhaliwal's team asked voters not to stab the minister in the back, "we don't want an embarrassment," said one supporter.

But when the votes were counted the embarrassment was official, Dhaliwal lost to all those newcomers backing Martin.

The Martin forces say they played hard, but they played by the rules.

The Chrétien, or Dhaliwal forces, say it's unfair and undemocratic. Either way, it seems, this small takeover is part of a larger plan.