LONDON (TIP): Hundreds showed up, May 3, in Ealing – Southall to show their support at Virendra Sharma’s election campaign launch. Following the shock announcement of a snap general election, today, on the day parliament dissolves, Virendra Sharma launched his campaign to continue as MP for Ealing -Southall, West London.

The event was introduced by Dr Onkar Sahota, GLA member for Ealing and Hillingdon, other contributions were made by Steve Pound from Ealing North, Seema Malhota from Feltham and Heston, and Cllr Julian Bell Leader of Ealing Council, West London.

Speaking at the launch Virendra Sharma said:”I am proud to represent the area I have lived in for the last 49 years and my campaign will focus on our community and how much we can achieve. This election must be about bringing people together, improving people’s lives and turning our backs on the politics of division.

This is a British election, and we should be debating British values, not old community conflicts, ancient arguments and squabbles from half a world away and half a century ago. Ealing Southall should be a standard bearer for tolerance and integration. We achieve so much more when we cooperate, when we unite and when we come together. It harms our community when we see ourselves as different and live separate lives.

I believe in the freedom of speech, I believe in debate and I believe in the ballot box. We only damage ourselves when we resort to scare tactics and when we try to silence dissenting opinion. I will represent all of Ealing Southall, I will represent every religion, every culture and those unsure of where they belong.”

With dozens of community groups represented at the launch Virendra Sharma’s campaign is one of community unity and people coming together.

Organizations represented at the launch included:Shri Guru Singh Sabha Southall; Sri Ram Mandir Temple; Miri Piri Gurudwara; Sri Guru Nanak Gurudwara; Abu Bakar Mosque; Sri Guru Ravidass Gurudwara; Vishwa Hindu Kendra; Sri Guru Amardas Gurudwara; Ramgarhia Sabha Southall; Sri Guru Nanak Darbar; Afghan Hindu Society; Rajpoot Society; Haryana Association; South Indian Associations; Rajasthan Society; Kashmiri Pandits; Councillors from Hounslow, Hillingdon, Brent, Harrow and of course Ealing, and many more prominent individuals from of all communities.

Not even a shower of rain could dampen the excitement, and the groups came together with one voice in support of Virendra Sharma and his message of tolerance, democracy and secularism.