Venkat Raman
Auckland, April 25, 2017
The National Party has announced Bala Venu Beeram as its candidate to contest in the Kelston Constituency in the general election to be held on September 23, 2017.
The announcement was made at the Party’s General Meeting held on Monday, April 24 at which more than 200 supporters of Bala Venu Beeram were present, pledging their loyalty to him and his Party.
A long-time friend of Indian Newslink, Bala, also known as ‘Venu’ and ‘Venugopal,’ has been a member of the National Party for more than 10 years during the course of which he has promoted its policies and programmes on various platforms.
With a Master’s degree (MSc) in Chemistry, Bala migrated to New Zealand with his family in 1999 and is currently employed as a Scientific Analyst at an Auckland firm.
Ardent supporter
He said that since becoming a member of the National Party, he has attended several local, regional and national meetings, enrolled hundreds of people to the membership of the Party and supported candidates at general and by-elections.
“I have supported the National Party Kelston Board for the past three years and mobilised financial support at fundraising events in 2016. More than 50 persons including members of the Party and volunteers will join me during the campaign period. The close relationship that I have developed with the communities in my electorate gives me the confidence and courage to represent the National Party at the forthcoming general election,” he said.
Bala said that among the highlights of his involvement with the National Party over the years have been inviting former Prime Minister John Key to attend a large event at Avondale the College during the 2008 general election campaign and ensuring the presence of several Ministers and Members of Parliament at social and cultural programmes.
“These dignitaries include former Trade Minister (and now New Zealand’s Ambassador to Washington DC) Tim Groser, Members of Parliament Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi, Alfred Ngaro (now Pacific People’s Minister), former MP Dr Jackie Blue (now Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner) and Members of the National and Regional Boards of National Party,” he said.
Community involvement
As well being an active Member of the New Zealand Telugu Association for more than 17 years, Bala was its President in 2008 and an Advisor to the Committee in 2009 and 2010.
His community services include blood donation camps, tree plantation programmes and helping new migrants in their successful settlement.
He has also organised a Badminton tournament, which is one of the largest events of its type in Auckland.
More details about Bala Venu Beeram and an analysis of the Kelston electorate will appear in the print and web editions of Indian Newslink shortly.
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Photo Caption:
Bala Venu Beeram
