Venkat Raman
The New Zealand People’s Party (NZPP) has been wound up.
Party President Roshan Nauhria said that four years, two by-elections and one General Election later, “it was time to take a decision and move on.”
“My business interests and other engagements and constant travel to India have been major factors that led to the decision to close down the New Zealand People’s Party,” he told Indian Newslink at press time.
Mr Nauhria said that he and many other members will be joining the National Party at a special function being held at the Bharatiya Mandir Community Centre in Central Auckland on Friday, May 26, 2019.
No bargains with National Party
“I have been a National Party supporter in the past and hence it is natural that I have decided to re-join that Party. I have spoken to its leaders and they have welcomed me. I am sure that many of our NZPP members and supporters will also join the National Party,” he said.
Mr Nauhria said that there were no bargains in this process.
“Politics is serious business. I have not set any conditions. I will be joining National as an ordinary member and I am not looking for any position. However, something can come my way in the future. I will campaign for National in next year’s general election,” he said.
About NZPP
Established in 2015, NZPP had about 700 members.
Its first electoral fray was at the Mount Roskill By-Election on December 3, 2016 at which Mr Nauhria contested unsuccessfully against Labour’s Michael Wood (who won the seat) and National’s Dr Parmjeet Parmar who was elected to Parliament on National’s List in 2014.
NZPP fought in the General Election held on September 23, 2017 and polled 1890 votes or 0.1% of the total votes (2,591896) cast nationwide.
The Electoral Commission had set a spending limit of $$1.115 million to NZPP in General Election 2017 but it had spent only $274,541.96.
In a column published in our September 15, 2017 issue, Mr Nauhria wrote, “Our goal is clear – to be in the next government with our own separate identity. We are not here to just win this election. We are here to create a change. No matter how long it takes, we will continue our relentless fight to be represented and be heard in a way that matters.”
Photo : Roshan Nauhria (Photo Supplied)
