Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

T_i_B

(14,734 posts)
Sun Nov 10, 2019, 05:36 AM Nov 2019

Concerns over 'foreign interference' as India-linked Hindu nationalist group targets Labour seats

https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/concerns-over-foreign-interference-as-india-linked-hindu-nationalist-group-targets-labour-candidates/

Activists directly linked to India’s ruling Hindu nationalist party, the BJP, have vowed to campaign on behalf of the Conservative Party – raising concerns about attempted foreign interference in next month’s UK general election.

The campaign has alarmed some Labour Party MPs standing for reelection, who say the prospect of foreign interference by “religious hardliners” could stir up inter-community tensions.

On Tuesday the president of Overseas Friends of BJP UK (OFBJPUK), told The Times of India his campaign group was planning to campaign in 48 marginal seats to help Conservative candidates. “We have a team in each constituency which is going round with the Tory candidate leafleting, speaking to people and persuading them to vote Tory,” said Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat. “The teams are organised by the BJP and Friends of India Society International.”

It is extremely unusual for a group explicitly tied to a foreign political party to openly declare its intent to campaign for a specific British political party during an election. Shekhawat also said their campaign will target Britain’s only two Sikh MPs – Tan Dhesi and Preet Gill – both of whom are Labour, and replace them with Conservatives.
1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Concerns over 'foreign interference' as India-linked Hindu nationalist group targets Labour seats (Original Post) T_i_B Nov 2019 OP
Oh, so the Tories will be outsourcing their canvassing to India ? OnDoutside Nov 2019 #1

OnDoutside

(19,890 posts)
1. Oh, so the Tories will be outsourcing their canvassing to India ?
Sun Nov 10, 2019, 05:50 AM
Nov 2019


Those new trade deals are amazing !
Latest Discussions»Region Forums»United Kingdom»Concerns over 'foreign in...