New Zealand First has placed sitting Member of Parliament Tenth on its List announced on Tuesday, August 29, 2017.
He is just one place up from the previous election in 2014 – an endorsement of his performance by the echelons in his Party, particularly Winston Peters.
Loyal worker
The finest attribute of Mr Bindra is his loyalty to the Party when it recorded its worst performance in its electoral history in the November 2008 general election.
“I believe in the policies and programmes of New Zealand First Party and I have been its loyal worker and supporter for more than 15 years. Political fortunes may change but I am not the one to jump ship during a political storm. New Zealand First is a great Party of ideals and principles and those are dear to me as well,” he said.
Impressive record
Mr Bindra entered parliament in 2014. A former Corrections Officer with the Department of Corrections, he holds a BA (Hons) degree in Political Science and Psychology.
He is New Zealand First Party’s Spokesperson for Corrections, Customs, Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) and Ethnic Affairs.
“Mahesh Bindra’s experience has played an important role in the New Zealand First caucus and in Parliament for the past three years. His insights into the ethnic makeup of New Zealand and his practical and pragmatic policy solutions that address the stresses faced by immigrants have been greatly appreciated,” Mr Peters said.
Important Party now
New Zealand First has been polling well as a ‘Tier Two’ Party and if the current mood of the people is any indication, it should have sufficient seats to hold the bargaining chip and have a definite say in the formation of the next government. With Labour and National running a close race, and with Mr Peters upset with National on his superannuation issue, it would be speculative now to specify which way he would move after the results are out on September 23, 2017.
However, it would be ‘no bet’ for those who have known Mr Peters, for he keeps his political cards close to his chest. They also know that neither the man nor his Party can be written off by any one, especially by his political opponents and an adverse media.
Photo : Mahesh Bindra
