Boris visits temple, vows to back Modi to woo Indian diaspora
London, Dec. 8: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has made a pledge to partner with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his mission to build a new India, as he and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds visited a famous Hindu temple here to woo Indian diaspora votes ahead of Thursday’s General Election.
Dressed in a bright pink silk sari, 31-year-old conservationist Symonds made her first official campaign tour with 55-yearold Johnson at one of the UK’s most famous temples Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, north-west London.
Prime Minister Johnson vowed to partner with his Indian counterpart Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his mission to build a new India. “I know Prime Minister Modi is building a new India. And, we in the UK government will support him fully in his endeavour,” said Johnson, whose ruling Conse-rvative Party is currently leading in opinion polls over the Opposition Labour Party.
In an indirect reference to Labour’s perceived antiIndia stance over the issue of Kashmir, he noted: “There can be no place for racism or anti-India sentiment of any kind in this country.”
“British Indians have played a vital role in helping the Conservatives win elections in the past. When I told Narendrabhai [Modi] this, he just laughed and said Indians are always on the winning side,” said a tilak and garland sporting Johnson.
In reference to the temple, he said, “This temple is one of the greatest gifts that the Hindu community has given to our country. It is brought to life by the amazing community spirit that inhabits it. You are giving back to our society through the great charitable work that you do. London and the UK are lucky to have you.”
The event, also attended by UK home secretary Priti Patel, marked what would have been the 98th birthday of guru Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the president of the Swaminarayan Sanstha.
She reiterated the party’s commitment to introduce a new Australian-style points-based immigration procedure for a fairer visa system for migrants from all over the world, including India.
“The vote to leave the EU was a vote to take back control of our borders, and that is exactly what a Conservative majority gover-nment will do by getting Brexit done and ending freedom of movement. Immigration will finally be subject to democratic control,” Patel said.