Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday asserted that the Punjabi Non-Resident Indian (NRI) community has once again placed its trust in the party, following a recent delegation visit to Australia and New Zealand. SAD leader Tejinder Singh Middukhera, who headed the delegation, stated that NRIs fondly recalled the initiatives undertaken during previous SAD governments, including special 'sangat darshan' programmes, dedicated NRI courts, and NRI police stations.
NRIs Voice Support for SAD
According to Middukhera, the diaspora community was unequivocal in expressing that the support they once received from the state government is now lacking. He claimed that members of the Punjabi community abroad voiced their disappointment with both the Congress party and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The delegation included prominent SAD figures such as Youth Akali Dal president Sarabjit Singh Jhinjher, Gurpreet Singh Jhabbar, and Jasbir Singh Jassi Malwai.
Engagements and Interactions
During the visit, the delegation met with heads of various Sikh institutions, sports clubs, and gurdwara committees. In addition to in-person meetings, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal also interacted with the diaspora through video conferences. Middukhera informed that the delegation submitted a comprehensive report to Badal on Tuesday, which included requests from NRIs to join and support the party in the upcoming 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Commitment to NRI Issues
Sukhbir Singh Badal responded by stating that if the SAD returns to power in Punjab, issues concerning the NRI community would be addressed on a priority basis. He emphasized the party's keenness to make the NRI community an equal partner in the progress and prosperity of Punjab. The development comes as political parties gear up for the next state elections, with the NRI vote bank being a crucial factor in Punjab's electoral landscape.
