The NDP is asking if Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal is on the verge of resigning -- but only because Dhaliwal said he would quit if proven wrong on a point.

The issue in question? Just where does Dhaliwal sit among MPs with poor attendance records in the House of Commons.

Dhaliwal’s NDP opponent in B.C.’s Newton-North Delta riding, Jinny Sims, stated in a candidate’s debate Tuesday that Dhaliwal had the thirteenth worst attendance record.

Now the NDP is circulating a press release claiming “Liberal Sukh Dhaliwal pledged to resign if New Democrat Jinny Sims could confirm her statement,” appending this table locating Dhaliwal among Ottawa’s politically scarce:

Should we be surprised that Sims, the former head of the B.C. teachers union, turns out to be a stickler for attendance?

No word yet on whether Dhaliwal is stepping down -- or just bringing in a note from his parents.

1. Michael Ignatieff, Liberal, 135 absences

2. Francine Lalonde, Bloc Quebecois, 121 absences

3. Albina Guarnieri, Liberal, 103 absences

4. Keith Martin, Liberal, 102 absences

5. Jim Karygiannis, Liberal, 93 absences

6. Gerard Kennedy, Liberal, 88 absences

7. Ruby Dhalla, Liberal, 87 absences

8. Stephen Harper, Conservative, 82 absences

9. Helena Guergis, Independent, 81 absences

10. Monique Guay, Bloc Quebecois, 78

11. Irwin Cotler, Liberal, 77 absences

12. Joy Smith, Conservative, 73 absences

13. Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal, 69 absences

Source: HowdTheyVote

David Beers is editor of The Tyee.