Britain's third major party Liberal Democrats is proposing to field up to 40 ethnic candidates, including Indians, in the upcoming general elections which they predict will produce a hung parliament.
"We will be fielding as many as 35 to 40 ethnic minority including Indian-origin candidates in the elections, expected to be held on May 6," Edward Davey, Charmain of the party's campaign committee, told Indian journalists.
Lord Navnit Dholakia, Deputy Leader of the party in the House of Lords who also addressed newsmen, said it was the ideal time for NRIs and other ethnic minorities to raise their concerns regarding immigration and other issues.
Edward said the UK seems to be heading for a "balanced Parliament" (hung Parliament) and his party would have a key role to play after the poll.
Describing India as the largest democracy and a "beacon" to other countries, Edward said India should have been a permanent member of the UN Security Council long ago.
"India has been playing a key role by contributing substantial troops for the UN's peace keeping mission," he said.
"India is a beacon to other countries and India should have been a permanent member of the UN Security Council long time ago," he stated.
He also wanted India, "a stable and trusted nuclear power," to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
