NRIs in Australia, New Zealand trust us, claims SAD

Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday claimed that the Punjabi NRI community reaffirmed its faith in the party during a recent visit by a SAD delegation to Australia and New Zealand.SAD leader Tejinder Singh Middukhera, who led the delegation, said NRIs recalled initiatives taken during previous SAD govts, including special "sangat darshan" programmes, NRI courts and NRI police stations."NRIs were very clear that the support they received earlier is missing now," Middukhera said, claiming that members of the diaspora expressed disappointment with both the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).He said the delegation, which included Youth Akali Dal president Sarabjit Singh Jhinjher, Gurpreet Singh Jhabbar and Jasbir Singh Jassi Malwai, met heads of Sikh institutions, sports clubs and gurdwara committees during the visit.Middukhera added that SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal also interacted with members of the diaspora through video conferences."The delegation submitted a report to the SAD president on Tuesday, including requests by NRIs to join and support the party in the 2027 Assembly elections," he said.Badal said issues concerning NRIs would be addressed on priority if the SAD returned to power in Punjab."We are keen to make the NRI community an equal partner in the progress and prosperity of Punjab," he said.