AAP draws support from Indians in UAE

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is drawing support from Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with a party leader, Shazia Ilmi, visiting this Gulf nation over the weekend.

Ilmi, who is also a spokesperson for the party, attended the alumni functions of the Jamia Millia Islamia university and the Aligarh Muslim University in Dubai and Abu Dhabi Friday and Saturday.

She said she was overwhelmed by the support expatriates here have voiced for the year-old AAP which rules Delhi, The National reported.

Said Ilmi, a former broadcast journalist: "We want to create a citizen's voice and not play on any religious card. Corruption has no religion and misgovernance has no caste.

"Also, poverty and illiteracy have no religious colour," she said.

On Friday and Saturday, more than 500 people gathered to hear Ilmi speak in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

"NRIs are concerned about corruption, bad roads, cleanliness and deteriorating security situation. They want to invest more in India but corruption bothers them," Ilmi said.

Some of the Indian expatriates reportedly spoke to her about their desire to contest elections on AAP ticket.

Sayed Qutbur Rehman, head of a construction company in the UAE, was quoted as saying: "There is a revolution taking place in India. This is a time of transformation, and to miss it would be a big mistake."

Anis Ahmad, a manager at a car company, said the AAP had inspired expatriate Indians to work for their country. "People want to contribute in any way they can.

"The party is fighting for justice for the common man and the minorities who are suppressed. We too hope change will come in India. The only way to bring about change is to cast your vote," he added.