Former Surrey-Fleetwood MLA  Jagrup Brar has told the Straight that he’s “very seriously considering” a run for president of the B.C. NDP.

According to Brar, he’s been getting calls and emails from across the province encouraging him. Current president Moe Sihota is stepping down next month.

Brar said his supporters include members of the NDP’s legislative caucus. When asked by phone how many MLAs are backing him, he would only say: “It will be a very good beginning.”

New Democrats will choose a new president at the party’s next convention, which runs November 15 to 17. Pressed on when he’ll make an announcement on whether or not he will run, Brar said: “It will be soon.”

City of North Vancouver councillor Craig Keating previously announced that he wants to be the next B.C. NDP president.

Brar has impressed even nonparty members like Bill Hopwood of the Raise the Rates coalition. Last year, the then Surrey-Fleetwood representative was the only MLA who took up the group’s challenge to live on the $610 monthly allowance for people on welfare.

According to the antipoverty activist, there is a lot of cynicism about politicians but Brar has proven to be different. “He’s prepared to walk the walk, and to me, that’s important,” Hopwood told the Straight by phone.

In the last B.C. NDP leadership race, Brar supported Port Coquitlam MLA Mike Farnworth. Farnworth is seen as a serious contender to replace current leader Adrian Dix, who announced last September that he is not staying at the helm following the party’s unexpected loss in this year’s May provincial election.