Email
Print
ShareWASHINGTON, DC: During a televised debate featuring congressional candidates from Virginia's 10th District, software analyst Neeraj Nigam walked up to the lectern, and said, "While meeting with the residents of my district, I was asked many times, 'In what moment of insanity did you decide to run?'" Amid appreciative laughter, the Independent candidate went on to make an impassioned speech on why he is the best choice for his district.
Increasingly, though, Indian-Americans in the congressional elections does not seem to an "insane" thought. With a population of more than two million, and easily the wealthiest ethnic community in the US, Indian-Americans feel that these elections are the best way to get the community in the national political mainstream. Says Nigam, "Since I arrived in 1989, I have been able to enjoy the rights, privileges, freedoms and opportunities that this country offers. This country has been good to me." Upset with congressional scandals and non-accountability, says Nigam, "I decided then that it was time for me to give back to my beloved country."
He is not alone. In the neighbouring state of Pennsylvania, 30-year-old Raj Peter Bhakta is fighting to represent the 13th District. In what is easily one of the most bizarre PR campaigns, Bhakta rode an elephant (the Republican Party symbol) on the US-Mexico border to highlight the illegal immigration issue. That was in October. Since then, though, he has highlighted other issues in his campaign. "We need sensible immigration reform," he says. "I support additional funding for border enforcement as well as efforts to attract the best and the brightest from around the world."
Meanwhile, Louisiana's Republican congressman Bobby Jindal -- the only Indian-American currently in Congress -- will face Democrats David Gereighty and Stacey Tallitsch, and from Libertarian candidate Peter Beary in Tuesday's elections. He says, "We cannot afford to have the rest of the nation think that Louisiana politics is a euphemism for lining the pockets of politicians and their relatives. We have to go above and beyond to prove to the rest of the country that we are a state that holds our elected officials to the highest standards so that we can distance ourselves from our colourful history, and instead become a state that is leading the way in economic development and technological innovation."
In Maryland, another state on the American east coast, Dilip Paliath is fighting as an Independent for the state legislature. The 35-year-old lawyer from Pikesville says, "I know that I can help make Maryland a better place by improving education, increasing job opportunities, making our streets safer, and meeting our responsibilities to seniors, children and taxpayers."
