‘Because of Modi, easier now for first-generation migrants in UK politics’

Prashant Kumar was born in a regular middle-class family in the Indian state Jharkhand’s steel town Jamshedpur, famous for Tata Group’s manufacturing units. Following the family culture, Kumar studied science in school and became an engineer, clearing one of the most prestigious pre-engineering tests to secure a seat in the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) — the same institution that has given the world some of the top tech CEOs.

After graduating from the IIT, Kumar followed what many do in India — get an MBA degree and land a high-paid corporate job. That took him to the UK, where he seemed to have found his true calling — politics.

People of Indian origin have emerged as an influential group in the United Kingdom’s politics. The rise of Rishi Sunak to the post of the prime minister at a critical economic juncture of the country, leading the Conservative Party. They are increasingly becoming MPs, councillors and ground-level workers in the country.

The popularity of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “changed the global perspective” about Indians in politics, Kumar told Firstpost as he exuberates confidence about successful debut in UK politics in the London councillor election next year.

The 2024 UK parliamentary election saw a historic 29 Indian-origin Members of Parliament (MPs) getting elected to the House of Commons. Twelve of them were first-time parliamentarians.

Indians in UK politics

In his exclusive conversation with Firstpost, Kumar, Sunak’s Conservative Party councillor (counterpart to MLA) candidate for the 2026 election in London, said, “After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s win in the 2014 general election, the whole perspective of the world towards India has changed. The way the world sees India has been constantly changing as the country is now racing close to be one of the super powers.”

“Then, the best thing was that Sunak became the prime minister of the UK. So, for the first-generation migrants entering the local UK politics has changed from what it was 20-30 years back,” he said.

“Sunak has been there and the name Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given to India on a global platform it was not very difficult for me as an Indian-origin to achieve what I have today,” Kumar, who has been chosen as candidate for the council polls in Harrow, told the Firstpost.

Kumar, who shifted to London in 2021, said, “I am the first-generation migrant and it is a lot easier now due to PM Modi.”

“I moved to the UK to explore global opportunities, contribute to strengthening Indo-UK relations, and support Indian communities internationally. Currently, I am engaged in various leadership and mentorship roles,” he said.

Before moving to London, Kumar was not exactly a political novice, having been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the parent organisation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which leads the ruling coalition the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at the Centre.

Kumar said he was mentored by BJP leader BL Santosh, known for his organisational skills, and closely worked with ministries held by Rajeev Chandrasekhar

“Under Chandrasekhar’s mentorship, I contributed to data-driven governance, digital transformation, and national campaigns. My expertise in data analytics and strategic communication contributed to impactful policymaking,” he said.

A petitioner in Mathura’s Krishna Janmabhoomi suit, Kumar credits his political interests in the UK to another RSS leader Ram Vaidya, who he said was working to bring India and Europe, particularly the UK closer.

What does he do in UK politics?

Kumar says he was chosen by the Conservative Party as a councillor candidate for the 2026 London election. He holds Indian citizenship. “It is possible for me to contest the election despite not holding UK citizenship. As a Commonwealth citizen residing in the UK, I am eligible to stand for local elections. This is in line with the UK’s electoral rules, which allows Commonwealth citizens with leave to remain to participate in local government elections,” Kumar said.

According to the UK Parliament , a citizen of a commonwealth country, including India, who does not require leave to enter or remain in the UK, or has indefinite leave to remain in the UK, can stand as a candidate in the country’s election

Similarly, as per the UK electoral laws, citizens of nearly 54 Commonwealth countries, British Dependent Territories, and Ireland can vote in all elections, provided they reside in Britain.
‘Indians’ in UK

Due to historical reasons, Indian-origin people have been an essential part of the UK’s modern journey. They contribute more than 6 per cent to the GDP of the UK.

According to the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), people with Indian roots were over a million, most of them identifying themselves as British Hindus, constituting 3.1 per cent of the total population. Their growing numbers and increasing political awareness over the years have played a crucial role and have also potentially influenced outcomes.

In the 2024 election, 26 persons of Indian origin were elected to Parliament. In the previous election, there were 15 Indian-origin MPs — eight from Labour and seven from the Conservative party. One of them was Conservative Sunak, who became the UK’s first prime minister of colour in 2022.

Also, the Indian households dominate in high-income brackets in the UK population, with 42 per cent earning more than £1,000 weekly in 2015-2018, the ORF said.

UK grooming gangs

The so-called grooming gangs of the UK have attracted global attention in recent weeks, particularly after Tesla CEO Elon Musk sought action against them. The gangs, allegedly drawing men from Pakistan, have been accused of sexually assaulting scores of young girls over decades in the UK. Kumar said Musk has “done a great job because the issue became one of the biggest things in the media”.

“After Musk highlighted and started writing about it…now, I am sure that we will win and those who have done these wrong things must be put in jail and get the Severest of punishment as it is the worst crime a being can do,” Kumar said.

He expressed his disapproval of comments, made by UK leaders including Prime Minister Keir Starma — the Labour Party leader — dubbing the ‘rape gangs’ as “Asian grooming gangs”.
“Bob Blackman, Conservative MP from Harrow, raised the issue asking PM Starmer not to use the term ‘Asian’ as India is also included in Asia and Indians are among the best people in the UK,” he said.

“Most of the home owners in London are Indians. We all are fighting against it and it should not be said like that. They should be using the term Pakistani rather than Asian. There are many Indian bodies (groups) who have also raised this issue and we all are with all these organisations and this should not have happened,” Kumar said.

“Harrow has many Indians and they too are against it. We are supporting our Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and we are strongly against what Starmer has said,” he said.

The cases of sexual assaults by ‘rape gangs’ have been reported from several UK towns such as Rotherham and Rochdale in the north, and Oxford and Bristol among others, for almost four decades.

‘Starmer worsened UK’s situation, Sunak can solve them’

Asked that the Conservative party suffered a big election loss over issues such as rising cost of living and economic troubles, but the Starmer government now too is facing flak over similar issues, Kumar said, “Starmer has just worsened the situation. If you read economic or any policies, the situation in the UK is worsening day-by-day and this is creating a lot of issues for the Britons.”

“More and more people are coming from the seas and the number of people living on roads has increased. The number of poor people has also increased. Pensioners in the UK are suffering a lot of pain as they are not able to get the funds,” he said.

Kumar said the situation in the UK under the current regime is “challenging”.

“People in the country are now exposed to more challenges,” he said.

“In my opinion, Sunak is in the best position to solve all this issue. If anyone can solve this issue, it’s Sunak,” Kumar said.

What’s the role of OFBJP

Kumar also serves as the president of the Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) UK for Jharkhand, where he connects Indian entrepreneurs across India, the UK, and Europe to foster economic collaboration.

“My mentor, guide, and guru, Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat ji, the esteemed President of Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) UK, is one of the most inspiring leaders I have had the privilege to work with. Under his visionary guidance, I actively contribute to OFBJP UK, which serves as a vital bridge connecting the Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India,” he said.

Further explaining the role of OFBJP, Kumar said, “Whatever negative narrative people are spreading over here about our leader Narendra Modi or about the BJP, all of those are countered by us and we tell the people what is correct, the actual truth, and how work by the Indian prime minister is developing the country.”

“We tell them how India is changing with the vision of PM Modi and the progress that the country is seeing because of this party,” he further said.

He went on to say that many Indians abroad “deeply care about key issues” such as good governance, national security, and sustainable development. “They recognise BJP as the only credible force capable of driving India’s progress and ensuring a strong and prosperous future,” Kumar said.

“Additionally, I serve as the President of OFBJP UK for Jharkhand, where I work to connect Indian entrepreneurs across India, the UK, and Europe to foster economic collaboration. Beyond economic initiatives, OFBJP plays a crucial role in countering misinformation about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP,” Kumar detailed about his role.

He also said that he was currently leading digital and data initiatives at State Bank of India (UK).

“Whatever negative narrative people are spreading over here about our leader Narendra Modi or about the BJP, all of those are countered by us,” I explain. “We ensure that people know the actual truth, the transformative work being done by PM Modi, and how his vision is propelling India’s development.”

Through OFBJP, we actively communicate how India is changing under PM Modi’s leadership, ensuring that the Indian diaspora remains well-informed about the nation’s rapid progress and the role of BJP in shaping a New India.