'Phir ek baar Cameron sarkar': UK PM woos Indian-origin voters
Prime Minister David Cameron tried to woo the Indian community in the UK with a campaign slogan in Hindi 'Phir ek baar Cameron sarkar', using Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popular poll mantra.
Prime Minister David Cameron tried to woo the Indian community in the UK with a campaign slogan in Hindi 'Phir ek baar Cameron sarkar', using Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popular poll mantra.
Cameron, on the last leg of campaigning for the May 7 general election, also hailed Modi as a "dynamic" leader who is "taking India forward".
"I want to welcome Prime Minister Modi to Britain at the earliest opportunity and yes – I met him in Brisbane, I was proud to be one of the first leaders to congratulate him and I know how pleased you are to see a dynamic Prime Minister taking India forward," Cameron said as he stopped over at Sri Swaminarayan Mandir at Neasden in north-west London recently.
"But I have an ambition that is more imminent...Phir Ek Bar Cameron Sarkaar," he said, using Modi's poll mantra last year that went 'Abki baar, Modi Sarkar'.
The Hindu vote is seen as a crucial element of the nearly 1.5 million Indian diaspora based in Britain and the temple, popularly referred to as the Neasden temple, is the largest of its kind outside India and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Cameron described the temple as a "great British landmark", adding: "The first traditional Hindu temple built in Europe was not in Germany, or France, or Spain it was here in Britain – right here in Neasden – and I'm so proud of that.
"It really was a labour of love – and it really is a thing of beauty, a marvel."
The Prime Minister, who is on a make or break 36-hour country-wide whistle-stop tour before voting opens on Thursday morning, went on to praise "British Hindu values".
"If we want to make Britain better, we could do a lot worse than taking Hinduism as an inspiration. I think of one of the Hindu goals of life, 'dharma' – duty and right conduc...That's something we can heed in Government and throughout public life,” he told the gathering after paying floral tributes.
Luke Parker, parliamentary candidate for Brent North, said: "It was honour to accompany the Prime Minister on his third visit to the temple.
British Indians have strong Conservative values and winning their vote will be crucial for a Conservative victory on Thursday."