Punjabi makes history in elections held Down Under | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Punjabi makes history in elections held Down Under

Hindustan Times | By, Ludhiana
Sep 09, 2013 04:40 PM IST

After making it to British and Canadian parliaments, Punjabis have now made their presence felt in the Australian elections. Jagjit Singh 'Jag' Chugha (39), who migrated from Moga in 1976, has become the first Punjabi to contest as well as win the federal elections Down Under.

After making it to British and Canadian parliaments, Punjabis have now made their presence felt in the Australian elections. Jagjit Singh 'Jag' Chugha (39), who migrated from Moga in 1976, has become the first Punjabi to contest as well as win the federal elections Down Under.

HT Image
HT Image


The Liberal Party candidate won the Scullin seat (Victoria), considered a Labour Party stronghold. The Liberals are set to form the new government.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Talking to Hindustan Times on the phone, Chugha thanked his poll campaign team, the Liberal Party, political supporters and mentors, his community, volunteers and the media for their support.

"My poll campaign ran for only two months, but the results were remarkable. My campaign team did a great job. Even opposition parties were impressed by the Liberal victory in Scullin," he added.

Chugha, who did his entire studies in Australia, has degrees in laws and commerce. He worked as a lawyer for more than 15 years. Now, he is a senior counsel at a top-100 Australian Securities Exchange (ASX)-listed company.

Chugha's father, Pritam Singh, who unsuccessfully contested the previous state elections in Australia, was his campaign director.

The newly-elected federal member is also a businessman with interests in restaurants, wholesale grocery, manufacturing and flour mills. He is also a migration agent, running VIP Student Migration.

His family has a business background in India and it established one of the first grocery businesses in Australia.

Scullin is a 169-square-km constituency that includes Victoria state's Diamond Creek, Wattle Glen, Hurstbridge, Plenty, Yarrambat, Watsonia North, Bundoora, Thomastown, Mill Park, Lalor, Epping, South Morang and Wollert suburbs. The key issues are cost of living, cost of doing business and job security.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Tarsem Singh Deogan is a senior reporter at Ludhiana. He has 16 years of experience in journalism. He has covered all beats and now focuses on crime reporting.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On