Ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections in India - Sachin Pilot and Milind Deora – the two former Ministers in Government of India and young leaders of the now revamped Congress Party - are all set to woo the Kiwi-Indian diaspora.
The two leaders are all set to meet with the members of the Indian diaspora in Auckland on Saturday, July 28, and have interaction with them about the vision and the idea of India.
The two leaders are scheduled to visit New Zealand and Australia as a part of their outreach to the global Indian diaspora.
It is noteworthy that ever since Rahul Gandhi had taken charge of President of the Indian National Congress, the Party has upped the ante to connect with the Non-Resident Indian community and the broader Indian diaspora.
Mr Gandhi had started the year with a visit to the Gulf region – in Bahrain - that has over 35 lakh Indians.
“I want to build systems in the Congress that will allow NRIs to guide us when we think about a vision for India. I want you to feel that even though you live outside India, you are fully involved with the future and growth of India,” Mr Gandhi had then said in an interactive session in Bahrain at the GOPIO event.
However, this is only after the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), the current ruling party in New Delhi had been successful in building strong connections with the global Indian diaspora, especially in the last four years of BJP government riding on the popularity and whirlwind tours of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Harminder Singh Cheema, President, Indian Overseas Congress New Zealand, is hopeful that visit of senior party Leaders, and their interactions with the members of diasporas, especially the youths, will be an excellent opportunity to present the vision of the Congress Party for a strong and vibrant India.
Speaking to the Indian Weekender, Mr Cheema said, “We believe there is an opportunity for the Kiwi-Indian diaspora to listen firsthand and know what the Congress Party has to offer ahead of 2019 Lok Sabha elections.”
Mr Pilot was former Corporate Affairs Minister and the current President of Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee, whereas Mr Deora, is former Union Minister of State for Shipping and Communications and Information Technology, and is sitting MP from Mumbai South.
Both the leaders are considered as new young faces of the Grand Old Party of India, which is desperately seeking approval of the great Indian middle class and young voters to remain relevant as a dominant political force in India.
Mr Pilot and Mr Deora will be interacting with the members of the diaspora in a public event at India Gate restaurant in South Auckland on Saturday, July 28.