Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
Jalandhar
The non-resident Indians of Punjab have refrained from participating or canvassing in the Lok Sabha elections in the state this time around.
It was for the first time that the expatriates have failed to show any interest in Lok Sabha elections in the state even as they were seen striving hard in the past to ensure that their voices were heard.
They have “deserted” almost all political parties and for that matter “even their motherland” if their suddenly eroded interest in the Punjab politics was any indication.
Interestingly, the NRIs were invited and kept at forefront by almost all major political parties — the SAD-BJP, the Congress and even the left in the past — and they used to be an integral part of the poll strategy targeting their relatives living here and particularly in Doaba region—the NRI heartland of Punjab.
The trend to involve the NRIs began when the Congress had formed its government post-militancy in the state in 1992.
There was a time when the overseas-based supporters of the SAD and the Congress would setup their ‘Deras’ in Punjab one or two months in advance, held late night parties — all with the lone objective to persuade their near and dear ones to vote for their party of choice.
The two-decade long trend had touched its peak in 2017 when they had headed to Punjab in droves with an objective to extend their support to the Aam Adami Party (AAP).
The AAP “fever” had gripped the Canada-based party fans to such an extent that they had chartered a flight from Toronto to New Delhi on January 19, 2017 under its ‘Chalo Punjab’ programme.
Without losing a single moment, they had kick-started their campaign from the IGI, New Delhi, itself on the beats of ‘dhol’ and ‘dagga’ for they were sure that AAP was going to form the next government in Punjab.
From Delhi they had straightway headed to Punjab in chartered buses and cars in large numbers to spend one to two months for campaigning for the AAP candidates.
The situation is starkly different this time. ‘Dhols’ are missing and so are the NRI laden vehicles. While there is hardly any poll din and hullabaloo in Punjab, the NRIs were not seen campaigning for any party here.
“They are fed up with Punjab style politics wherein hollow promises are extended to woo the voters. NRIs have been dreaming to bring about a positive change in their motherland but, they have realised the existing political system will not allow their dreams to come true,” rued Deepak Punj, the director of Toronto-based Radio Frontline.
Satnam Singh Chahal, the executive chairman of the North American Punjabi Association, said there was a paradigm shift in the vision of the NRIs.
“For them the AAP was the only hope. But it has lost its sheen. They have tried and tested all other political outfits. So they have preferred to sit home than to waste their money and energy on a futile exercise,” said Chahal.
Beantbir Singh, a Brampton-based realtor, said Punjab will no longer see big participation of the NRIs in the poll campaigns of any party in the times to come.
“The NRIs have been trying and pinning their hopes on one or the other party. But, almost all have failed to deliver and to fit their standards. So, why should people leave their work here in Canada and go to Punjab to waste their resources and energy,” he said.
