NRIs to contest Punjab Assembly elections

Indian Overseas Congress (IOC), wants to field non-resident Indian (NRI) candidates on Congress tickets in the forthcoming Assembly elections in Punjab which are expected to be held early next year. Addressing mediapersons in Chandigarh, IOC President Vikram Bajwa said, “There are some NRIs who have shown interest in contesting Assembly elections in Punjab. We are in constant touch with Punjab Congress Chief Amarinder Singh and he has given positive response on the idea. We plan to field atleast 10 candidates in the Vidhan Sabha elections to be held next year.”

He mentioned the participation of NRIs in the Assembly election will lead Punjab to the next level. He said, “We have suggested a ‘Political Action Committee (PAC) comprising Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee should be formed for selection of NRIs candidates for the elections.” The Indian government has already given voting rights to the NRIs last year. He mentioned there are 25 million NRIs across the country in possession of Indian Passports, of which 45 per cent belong to Punjab and are eligible for contesting elections.