Punjab elections: NRIs leave high-paying jobs to bring change in state
Eager to cash in on the anti-incumbency wave in Punjab, political parties like Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have created an environment in the name of change. Topping their list are the non-resident Indians (NRIs) who have been playing a big role in the elections.
NRI Punjabis-who were compelled to leave their homes by the growing unemployment are back and have launched a movement called 'Chalo Punjab' to join the call. According to an estimate nearly 4,000 NRI Punjabis from 25 countries including Canada, America, United Kingdom besides others are currently canvassing for Aam Aadmi Party which had given a call for a new Punjab.
Surinder Mavi Singh, a Canada based engineer told India Today that the state is passing through a difficult phase. He along with other NRIs like Joban Randhawa united the NRI Punjabis and launched the Chalo Punjab movement.
"This is the second independence struggle. We want to free Punjab from the tyranny of corruption and drugs. We trust Aam Aadmi Party this time as we have already tried and tested Akali Dal and Congress. We will be canvassing door-to-door for the party and will return after the poll process is over," Joban Randhawa said.
NRI PIN HOPE ON AAP
The NRIs said that AAP was a new political party and they wanted see if it can bring the change.They want a change and wants to replicate the transparent system which they witnessed outside India.
The NRI Punjabi's who are currently in Punjab have either left their jobs or stopped working till the elections are over. Rajesh Sharma and his wife Asteen Patel left their 8,000 Pounds job to change Punjab.
"I am a security specialist. I quit my job along with my wife so that we can contribute our time to bring a change in Punjab," Rajesh Sharma , a UK based security expert said.
Keeping in view the NRI enthusiasm, AAP has fielded three NRIs from Kapurthala, Nabha and Rajpura assembly constituencies. The ruling Akali Dal has accused AAP of getting funding from terrorist fronts and separatists based in foreign countries. AAP has however, denied the allegations.
"Look at them, do you think they are terrorists? They are Punjabis who love their country and state and have come here to bring a change," AAP's Punjab in-charge Sanjay Singh said.
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