In a heartwarming show of appreciation and unity, the IndoNats hosted a dinner to thank their supporters and contributors in the lead-up to the 2023 election. Indo Nats is a special interest group within the National Party for the people of Indian origin.
The event at Chawlas Indian Restaurant in Manukau on October 5 was filled with camaraderie, laughter, and engagement. For many attendees, this was their last chance to see the Indian candidates from the National Party in action before the upcoming election.
National Party candidates such as Mahesh Muralidhar for Auckland Central, Navtej Randhawa for Panmure-Otahuhu, Siva Kilari for Manurewa, Rima Nakhle for Takanini took centre stage to update the eager guests about the latest happenings on the campaign trail. Their speeches resonated with the community members who were deeply invested in the political process.
Also present at the evening was Nancy Lu, who is standing as a List-only candidate for the National Party at this year's general election.
The event witnessed approximately 100 guests in attendance. Among the notable representatives from the National Party were Board Member and Past President Peter Goodfellow and Northern Region Chairperson Ward Kamo. Anita Badwal and Kulwant Minhas, speaking on behalf of the IndoNats, took the opportunity to express heartfelt gratitude to the community for their unwavering support and hard work leading up to the 2023 election. They also commended the dedication and efforts of all four candidates, particularly highlighting Mahesh Muralidhar's impressive campaign, where he is giving the sitting Green Party candidate MP Chlöe Swarbrick a run for her money.
Talking to The Indian Weekender, Anil Lamba, Treasurer for the National Party Northern Region and IndoNats, said, "The event not only celebrated the unity and spirit of the Indian community within the National Party but also served as a reminder of the importance of civic engagement and participation in the democratic process. With the election on the horizon, the IndoNats and their supporters are determined to make their voices heard and contribute to the future of their nation.”
Randhawa said, “After a fantastic day of campaigning, team Panmure-Otahuhu was honoured to attend a beautifully organised event by the Indo Nats. We are very grateful to all the special interest groups that have graciously extended their endless help throughout this campaign.”