Chandigarh, Jan 18
As NRIs of Punjabi origin make a beeline for their hometown in the
run-up to the Feb 13 assembly polls, their money power and influence
on Punjab politics cannot be denied.
Conservative estimates by poll managers of leading political parties
put NRI contributions for this year's election at over Rs.1 billion
(nearly $22 million). Much of this money will come from the United
States, Canada, Britain and other European countries.
"NRIs play an important role in all elections in Punjab - right from
panchayat (village body) to assembly and parliament," Harjit Singh,
settled in Britain's Gloucester town, told IANS.
"This is one way for our generation of Punjabis to identify with our
motherland. We are wooed by politicians from all parties for the
funds we can provide and the influence we have," he added.
Groups of NRIs are already arriving at Amritsar's Rajasansi airport
and Delhi airport to be part of the state's biggest election
exercise.
A 117 assembly seats in Punjab go to polls Feb 13 with a tough fight
expected between the ruling Congress and main opposition Shiromani
Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) combine.
"They have a definite influence on the vote banks in their villages
and surrounding areas because of their NRI status. No politician can
afford to ignore them," said Bhagwant Singh, a horticulturist here.
The Doaba belt - the area in Punjab between the Sutlej and Beas
rivers comprising the districts of Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr
and Kapurthala - from where the maximum migration of Punjabis took
place between 1940 and 1970 to countries like the US, Britain,
Canada and Europe, has the maximum number of NRIs coming for this
election.
Akali Dal president Parkash Singh Badal held a meeting last week
with NRIs at a Jalandhar hotel and reportedly made several promises
if voted to power.
The NRIs support various parties and in return seek help in getting
contracts for projects, securing land deals, and settling disputes
and police cases here.
"We and many of our friends and their families are coming to
campaign for our candidates. This should be an interesting
experience," said Avtar Singh, who has arrived from New York.
For leading political parties, one way to stay connected with rich
NRIs is to float their overseas wings. Parties like the Congress,
Akalis and the BJP have units in the US, Britain and other
countries.
Ministers and legislators keep in touch with the overseas units and
also hold meetings in the respective countries to plan funding and
support. However, the leaders of the NRI community do have one
request - that the government allow them to contest in elections.
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