Tories play 'Theresa ke Saath' for desi votes

With the around 1.6 million British Indian many of them Sikhs -voters in mind ahead of the June 8 UK general elections, UK's Conservative party came out with a Hindi campaign song “Theresa ke Saath“, on Sunday. The song was released by

Conservative Friends of India

, and it is the second time that a Hindi song is part of the

Tories

' poll campaign.

The song which opens with “Dosto Dhanyawad shukria meharbaani, Ab Phir samay aaia hai saath nibhane ka“ (Thanks, friends, now it's time to show our support), urges the Indian community to support British premier Theresa May as she will provide a strong and stable leadership to Britain and boost the British economy.

Following

Cameron

's resignation on June 24, 2016, May successfully contested the Conservative leadership contest and became PM on July 13.

The video of the song with the punch line, “Paanch Saal Theresa ke Saath“, features British Prime Minister with Indian community members and shows her visiting a Hindu temple and participating in 'Aarti'. She is also shown paying tributes at Amar Jawan Jyoti in India and with PM Narendra Modi. The song also features entrepreneur and Conservative Friends of India co-chair Ranjit Singh Baxi.

“Every vote for Theresa May is a vote for stronger Britain with the benefits reaching everyone across the country .We need a country that works for everyone. May wants to build strong trade partnership with India and engage actively with the British Indian community “ said a statement issued by Conservative Friends of India on Sunday.

The song has been written, composed and produced by

Pandit Dinesh

, while Navin Kundra, Rubayyatt Jahan, Urmi Chakraborty, Raja Kasaf and Ketan Kansra have lent their voices. The song has been produced by Ranjit Singh Baxi, and the music rendered by Milan Handa, Chris Nolan and Mauro.

It was in the last general election that a Hindi song revolving around then PM David Cameron was released.That song's opening lines, “Neela Hai Aasman Gagan Vishal, Yahi Rang Hai Britain Ki Shaan“, symbolised the blue colour associated with the party, in which Cameron's interaction with the Indian community, including Sikhs, and his visit to the Golden Temple figured very prominently.

This time, the Labour Party has fielded six Sikh candidates, including two turbaned ones and a woman, from the three winnable seats.