Narendra Modi’s re-election in India means it will be even “tougher times” for the people of Kashmir, Tory candidate Marco Longhi wrote in his campaigning leaflet inviting criticism. “First of all a very happy Eid-al-Adha to you and your entire family. Recently we have seen Modi’s BJP being re-elected in India. This means it will be even tougher times for the people of Kashmir in the coming months. Narendra Modi made it clear recently that he is going for a full statehood for Kashmir which would mean full removal of any sovereign rights of the Kashmiris and their special status.,” the campaign leaflet read.
“I was elected as your MP in 2019 and since my election I have been at the forefront of speaking against the Indian Government atrocities towards the people of Kashmir. My involvement is well publicised and I have participated in several Kashmir events…On 4th July UK General Election, you will have to make a choice. Who will speak for Kashmir in Parliament? Will it be me, or Labour Party Parliamentary candidate Sonia Kumar? I leave this decision to you. However should you vote for me, I make a pledge to you that I will raise my voice for Kashmir in Parliament even more and will be at the forefront of standing up for Kashmiris in Parliament,” it added.
“I was elected as your MP in 2019 and since my election I have been at the forefront of speaking against the Indian Government atrocities towards the people of Kashmir. My involvement is well publicised and I have participated in several Kashmir events…On 4th July UK General Election, you will have to make a choice. Who will speak for Kashmir in Parliament? Will it be me, or Labour Party Parliamentary candidate Sonia Kumar? I leave this decision to you. However should you vote for me, I make a pledge to you that I will raise my voice for Kashmir in Parliament even more and will be at the forefront of standing up for Kashmiris in Parliament,” it added.
Labour candidate for Leicester East Rajesh Agarwal called it dog-whistling politics and said it was a shameful attempt to divide communities. “Rishi Sunak should put country before party and immediately remove his Party’s support for Mr Longhi campaign and apologise for attempting to alienate British Indians,” Agarwal posted on X.
The Tory MP, however, told GB News that he was simply being vocal about his support to the Kashmiri community in his constituency.