Sunny Kaushal – a prominent Kiwi Indian community leader, a Labour candidate for Pakuranga electorate in the 2011 elections and a Labour candidate for List Member of Parliament in 2014 has shocked many in the community by announcing to “take back his name from the Labour Party and withdrawing from all party commitments.”
Mr Kaushal had been with the Party since last nine years, and many believe that has become a face of the Labour Party within the Kiwi-Indian community.
The announcement had come shortly after Mr Kaushal had led a reasonably successful protest march earlier in the day, as the lead organiser of Crime Prevention Group – a community action group formed earlier in March against the rising incidences of ram raids and aggravated robberies against dairy stores and small businesses.
“Today, I have taken back my name from the Labour Party and withdrawn from all party commitments.
“The decision I have made is due to my recent stand on immigration and rising crime based on the suffering of our communities, and the ongoing hostilities and bullying from some of the Party Membership and Hierarchy that I have been subject to (some which have been public).
“For me my community matters,” Mr Kaushal posted on his social media post shortly after the end of the protest march.
It is important to note that the Labour Party has recently stepped up the ante on the issue of immigration calling for “cutting tens of thousands of numbers” from emigrating to New Zealand sighting that record net migration is largely responsible for Auckland’s overcrowding and infrastructural woes.
Party unavailable to comment
Indian Weekender’s attempts to contact the office of the Labour Leader Andrew Little to speak about Sunny Kaushal’s allegation of “bullying by the higher-ups in the party” were unsuccessful and were advised to contact the Party general secretary instead, for any comment.
Similarly, our attempts to speak with Michael Wood, the Party’s spokesperson for Ethnic Affairs were also unsuccessful as the latter chose not to comment before the Party list was announced.
However, as per some social media posts, it is widely assumed that Mr Kaushal’s decision to withdraw from the Labour Party is linked with his position, or, exclusion from the Party list.
Mr Kaushal chose not to reveal much about his position in the list while speaking with the Indian Weekender later, though affirming that withdrawing his name was “a difficult decision to make.”
“Yesterday I spoke with many other leaders in the community who are concerned about our community, and they advised me to withdraw my name from the Labour Party.
After all, this is not just my individual decision but is the community’s decision,” Mr Kaushal further asserted.
Earlier today New Zealand Herald has reported that the announcement of Labour Party list had been delayed until Tuesday as broadcaster Willie Jackson, a prospective Labour list candidate, flew to Wellington to discuss his ranking.
Apparently, Mr Jackson was hopeful of a higher list position, a hope which now appears has not materialised as expected by Mr Jackson in the “delayed list.”
However, it is clear that the discontentment with the Labour’s list is not limited around the higher and much sought after positions.
What does community have to say?
Regardless of wider assumptions about reasons for Sunny Kaushal’s withdrawal from the Labour Party, there seems to have some support behind him.
Many members of community commented favourably on Mr Kaushal’s post backing his actions and appreciating his latest political stance.
One Dharmesh Parikh commented “there is absolutely NO DOUBT that you are standing up genuinely for the community. Go well.”
Another Baljeet Khaira commented, “Good decision sir, Labour policies [are] not good for immigrants anymore.”
Makrand KarKhanis posted a comment that “All the best Sunny ji! You are doing good work.”
Sumesh T. Maharaj said “you [have] done a great job for the community. We are with you.”
Indian Weekender also spoke with some prominent leaders within the community about Mr Kaushal’s allegation of being bullied by the higher-ups in the Labour Party for his stand on issues that affect the community most – crime and immigration.
Suresh Ramji, President of newly christened Indian Association New Zealand (IANZ) from the earlier Manukau Indian Association (MIA), criticised the circumstances leading to Mr Kaushal’s decision to exit from the Party.