The charged political climate in Telangana ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections has brought scores of non-resident Indians (NRIs) back to campaign for various parties. Adding to the fray, the BJP has promised to set up an exclusive Non-Resident Indian Ministry if elected to power, considering the large number of migrants from the state working abroad.
Speaking at rallies in Nizamabad, BJP National President Amit Shah accused the incumbent BRS government led by KCR of “destroying Telangana” through corrupt governance. Shah said the promised NRI Ministry under BJP rule would address the specific needs and issues faced by lakhs of Telugu Non-Resident Indians searching for livelihoods overseas. It would also formulate schemes for their welfare.
The Ministry is envisioned to be a nodal agency coordinating between various departments to drive initiatives catering to the diaspora workforce. This includes blue-collar contract laborers in the Gulf countries as well as white-collar professionals in the US, UK and other developed regions.
Congress Party Also Pitched Year-Long NRI Commission
The Congress party has also envisioned an NRI Commission if elected to power in next month’s polls. TPCC President Revanth Reddy announced that an NRI Commission would be formed in the first year to address grievances. However, the BJP proposal for a fully-dedicated NRI Ministry takes their promise a step further.
Passionate Telugu NRIs Join Campaign Trail
The NRI-centric agenda by national parties comes at a time of heightened overseas engagement in the fierce electoral battle.
Despite thriving in adopted homelands like the US, passion for their roots draw Telugus like Pramod Pashula to leave their comforts abroad and land up in rural Telangana. Campaigning door-to-door for Congress and BJP candidates, NRI activists are aiming to defeat the ruling BRS government.
Pashula, a software engineer from Dallas, decided to fly down after being agitated by the state government’s alleged dictatorship and politically motivated arrests of opponents. However, groups supporting Chief Minister KCR have also arrived from UK, US and Gulf countries to campaign. They credit KCR for realising the separate Telangana dream and putting the fledgling state on a growth trajectory.
Affordable Real Estate Propels Immigration to Texas
In tandem with the political turmoil, the NRI influx from Telangana into Texas has substantially grown over the last decade. Poor governance, rampant corruption and unaffordable real estate prompt middle-class families to shift bases permanently.
Hyderabad land prices, hovering around Rs. 40-50 crore per acre, have crashed aspirations of home ownership for many NRIs vocal about the ‘Telangana struggle’. In contrast, cities like Dallas offer spacious plots at one-tenth the prices. Its thriving economy, job availability in Dallas metro’s IT and healthcare sectors, cultural comforts and good education make it the American dream for many Telugu expatriates.
As per BJP leaders, the NRI Ministry plans have been envisaged based on feedback from the diaspora community. If implemented, the ministry could be a powerful platform providing Telangana migrants abroad a strong voice with their home state government. However, for BJP’s vision to materialize, the party will need to win the mandate of people in the December polls.
