Ahmedabad: Voters in Gujarat are seeing a number of non-resident Indians (NRIs) approaching them to ask for a vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
These NRIs normally visit the state in November-December, but have retuned home mid-summer to seek support for Mr Modi, whom they passionately back.
A group of non-resident Gujaratis led by US-based Dr Vasudev Patel and Mr Govind Patel is travelling to the remote areas and towns and campaigning for Mr Modi.
“I have known Modiji for 40 years. As Prime Minister he has made us proud. He has done tremendous work for Gujarat and India. As a Gujarati we feel that we must support him,” said Dr Vasudev Patel, who has been in the US for 35 years and is associated with the overseas wing of the BJP.
Mr Govind Patel said, “I have been taking part in the campaign since 1990s. Modi ji, after he became PM, has addressed our issues. Today, wherever we go, we notice that the Indian passport holder gets respect. Our country has a special standing in the world.”
Approximately 300 NRIs have arrived in the state and are using their influence to secure votes for Mr Modi and the BJP.
They have come from more than 20 countries including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai and from African nations.
Gujarat has a large number of natives spread across the globe. Some NRIs are making 20 telephone calls a day to their relatives and friends in the state and appealing them to to vote for Mr Modi.
No one in this group is ready to hear anything against Mr Modi. Asked about the Congress’ allegation of corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal, Dr Vasudev Patel said, “These are not issues at all. Modiji is working round the clock for the welfare of the nation. These are baseless allegations.”
Another staunch supporter of Mr Modi, US-based Anar Mehta said, “We are not going to listen to this. How can you level such nonsense allegations against him when he is working hard and that too selflessly,”
Running an NGO for women empowerment, Ms Mehta is in the state for twomonths and is campaigning for Mr Modi.
These groups will also visit Varanasi, from where Mr Modi is expectedto contest, and others will be travelling to UP to campaign after theGujarat election on April 23.
Political observers believe that during his tenure as Prime Minister, Mr Modi has made every effort to meet and interact with people of Indian origin settled abroad when he is on foreign tours. That’s why he is able to garner huge support from the NRI community.
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