Election fever grips Indian diaspora as parties, partner groups hold events to drum up support

NEW DELHI/KOCHI - Gathered against the iconic Big Ben in London recently were a motley group of Indian-origin people with one common cause – re-elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party to power in India.

While only Indian citizens registered on electoral rolls are allowed to vote, even PIOs, who are citizens of other countries, are courted because of their close family connections in India. She is in charge of the Indian Overseas Congress, a department within the opposition party that, like the BJP and its many OFBJP units, has been reaching out to the diaspora through its 32 cells in various countries, exploiting both its online and offline networks.

“We call and tell them why they should vote for Mr Modi,” he told ST, adding that they try to clear “misconceptions” about BJP candidates and its political messaging. NRIs must be physically present at their designated polling station to vote as there is no provision of postal ballot for such electors.

While the former has pledged to actively involve them in India’s progress and provide “unwavering support”, the latter has said it will revive the position of a minister of state handling overseas Indians’ affairs to provide a “one-stop window to address their concerns”. He nearly missed this momentous tryst with India’s democracy because a rainstorm in Dubai on April 16 delayed his departure by many hours and caused him to miss his connecting flight in India.

Mr Amit Bhargava, an employee based in Singapore with a semiconductor firm, has been working out of India for around the past one year and also voted in Jaipur. Mr Aditya S, 28, a public policy doctoral student in New York, will be in Delhi on May 25 to cast his vote for the first time. Not all registered overseas voters turn up to vote, which is why associations affiliated to political parties have to work hard to coax them to fly back.

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Celebrate Indian New Year at the Indian Heritage CentreExperience dining, craft workshops, and performances at the Indian Heritage Centre's Indian New Year open house. Enjoy a South Indian lunch by hand or explore the flavors of a Malayalee feast. The open house showcases traditions observed by various Indian sub-ethnic communities on Indian New Year.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »

Indian wrestlers upset as Modi's party fields controversial lawmaker's son in pollsNEW DELHI — Top Indian Olympic wrestlers have criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party for fielding the son of their former federation chief in national elections, despite his father being charged with sexually harassing female wrestlers.
Source: asiaonecom - 🏆 10. / 59 Read more »

Canada arrests three over killing of Sikh activist allegedly organised by Indian governmentVANCOUVER: Canadian police arrested three members of an alleged hit squad they believe was ordered by the Indian government to
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Indian police chief sues SIA because business class seats did not automatically reclineSIA has been ordered to compensate the Telangana DGP and his wife for the “mental agony” they suffered during a 4+ hour flight from Hyderabad.
Source: IndependentSG - 🏆 9. / 63 Read more »

100-year-old Indian vegetarian restaurant Ananda Bhavan's unique thosai and hearty banana leaf mealAnanda Bhavan serves traditional dishes in a futuristic way and GOLD 905 DJ Denise Tan discovers she's been eating thali all wrong.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Arts Picks: Miniature Indian paintings, Lau Pa Sat 130th anniversary and Tung Yue Nang photographySee works by Delhi-based artist Olivia Fraser and a new mural by Singapore visual artist Yip Yew Chong.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »