Bhatkal: In a notable turnout, hundreds of Malayali expatriates from Gulf countries have been arriving in Kerala over the past two weeks, with some traveling on chartered flights, to participate in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled for April 26.

Media reports, citing leaders from the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC), indicate that approximately 30,000 Malayalis have returned home to vote. Beyond casting their own votes, these expatriates significantly influence other voters.

It is reported that around a dozen 'vote flights' have been organized from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. Many expatriates are also combining their voting trip with the extended Id-ul-Fitr holidays, while others have managed to take a short break, arriving on Thursday evening to stay for just two days.

This election season, KMCC units in the Gulf have engaged in the electoral process more actively than ever. A KMCC leader highlighted the motivation behind their involvement, stating, "As Indians working abroad, we are acutely aware of how India and its policies are perceived internationally. Unfortunately, the respect once held for Indians has diminished, with some even ridiculing us due to the policies of the Narendra Modi government."

Another leader expressed the community's disillusionment with the current administration, citing issues such as insufficient government support for pensions and inadequate travel facilities for expatriates. "Previously, there was a dedicated ministry at the Centre for expatriate affairs, but that's no longer the case. Voting is how we express our dissatisfaction," he explained.

A KMCC representative shared details on the extent of their campaign efforts: "Using our extensive network, we've reached out to tens of thousands in Kerala and other states. Just the Jeddah unit of KMCC has 25,000 members, and with other major units like Riyadh and Dhamam uniting, we aim to canvas up to 15 lakh voters."

According to a PTI report quoting Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader Abdurhiman Randathani, the KMCC, which serves as a charity and volunteer organization for Muslims, has been instrumental in encouraging Malayalees working in Arab countries to travel to Kerala to vote since the announcement of the elections.

With KMCC's assistance, expatriates have negotiated with airlines for low-cost fares and arranged chartered flights, enabling a large number of them to participate in the elections.