Indians For Biden recruits slew of community leaders to help expand outreach

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As the race for the White House heats up with just one and a half months to the Nov. 3, 2020 elections, Republicans and Democrats are outdoing each other to woo the Indian-American community. From polls declaring that more Indian-Americans support the GOP, to forming numerous groups representing this mostly affluent though small vote-bank, both parties are trying to expand their outreach. All in the hope that this vote bank could be decisive in swing states.

Despite the fact that an overwhelming majority of Indian-American voters have favored the Democratic Party, the liberals are not willing to take a chance, especially in light of what some in the community see as a special connection between India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and President Donald Trump.

In the latest move, the Indians for Biden National Council announced Sept. 18, 2020, that more than 15 Indian American leaders from different political and advocacy areas would perform the work of an Advisory Board, to help expand the Council’s reach in various Indian American communities in battleground states across America.

The Advisory Board will aid the Council’s efforts to “solidify” support among voters in the Indian American community, as the Biden-Harris campaign enters its get out the vote phase with 45 days remaining until election day, the press release from the organization said.

Those on the Advisory Board include several nationally known members like U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, Seema Nanda, former CEO of the Democratic National Committee, Nisha Desai Biswal, president of U.S.-India Business Council and former Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs in the State Department during the Obama administration; or  Sonal Shah, now economic policy advisor for the Biden Unity Task Force.

Several elected leaders at state level as well as some running in races around the country are also inducted to the Advisory Board -Ronnie Chatterji, candidate for North Carolina State Treasurer; Sen. Jay Chaudhuri of North Carolina; Sen. Manka Dhingra of Washington; Sen. Vin Gopal of New Jersey; Sen. Ghazala Hashmi of Virginia; Rep. Nima Kulkarni of Kentucky; and Rep. Padma Kuppa of Michigan.

Also on the Board are Raj Goyle, former Kansas state legislator and co-founder of Indian American Impact Fund; Nisha Jain, Vice President, GBAO, a progressive firm specializing in public opinion research and strategic consulting; Varun Krovi, chief of staff to U.S. Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence; Shekar Narasimhan, Democracy Alliance member and Chairman and Founder of AAPI Victory Fund; and former Vice Mayor Anu Natarajan of Fremont, California.

“The participation of respected political and policy figures on our Advisory Board emphasizes the importance of Indian Americans as a voting block, including and especially in swing states,” Sanjeev Joshipura, National Director of the Indians for Biden National Council, is quoted saying in the press release.

“At a time when there is so much at stake, it is critical that we engage the Indian American community. The targeted grassroots approach of the Indians for Biden National Council will mobilize our community to make sure that they are seen and heard in this election,” said Kentucky State Rep. Kulkarni, the first Indian American elected to that state legislature.

Part of the umbrella organization of South Asians for Biden, Indians for Biden will partner with South Asians for Biden for its phone banking and other get out the vote efforts in battleground states.

A flurry of activities is planned for the 45 days left till election day.