Indian-Americans play key role in US presidential race

Duggal raised between $500,000-$1 million for the Obama re-election campaign

Recognising the importance of Indian-Americans,both Obama and Romney campaigns have entrusted key roles to members of the community with the presidential elections less than 100 days away.

It is not only the two Indian-American Governors Nikki Haley from South Carolina and Bobby Jindal from Louisiana who are leading the pack for the Romney campaign,but there are many Indian-Americans who have been entrusted with key positions in the Republican party.

Dr Sampat Shivangi,an eminent Indian-American from Mississippi,chaired a fundraiser event in the state attended by Mitt Romney,the Republican presidential nominee. The event raised $1.7 million. This week,Romney also brought in Akshay Desai,an Indian-American from Florida,to campaign among Asian-Americans. One Gopal T K Krishna from Iowa,was recently elected as a delegate to the Republication National Convention,to be held in Tampa.

Story continues below this ad

Similarly,there are host of Indian-Americans who have made it to the key positions in Barack Obamas re-election bid.

Eminent Indian-American women from California,Shefali Razdan Duggal and Kamala Harris,have been nominated to the prestigious 2012 Convention Standing Committees. While Duggal is one of the top fundraisers for Obama,Harris is the California Attorney General.

Duggal raised between $500,000-$1 million for the Obama re-election campaign.

Shelly Kapoor,a successful entrepreneur from California,has also been appointed to serve on Presidents Standing Platform Committee,which determines priorities for his re-election bid.

Story continues below this ad

Pankit Doshi,an eminent Indian-American attorney,has been selected as a delegate from California to the Democratic National Convention.

Actor Kalpen Modi (also known as Kal Penn),Californias first woman Attorney General,Kamala Harris and Sai Iyer,who served as a White House intern in 2011,figure among 35 state,local and community leaders named as national co-chairs,or ambassadors for the president,who will play a high-profile role in defending his record and mobilising voters for November.

Kal Penn on Saturday appeared at a rally to celebrate Obamas 51st birthday and stump for the youth vote.