Bobby Jindal bows out of US presidential race

Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal, the first Indian-American ever to bid for US presidency, has bowed out of the White House race as he admitted that “this is not my time” after a lack-lustre campaign left him near the bottom of the table of the crowded 2016 Republican aspirants.

“We spent a lot of time developing detailed policy papers, and given this crazy, unpredictable election season, clearly there just wasn’t a lot of interest,” Mr Jindal said on Fox News after announcing his exit from the heated race dominated by real estate tycoon Donald Tru-mp and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson. “This is not my time, so I am suspending my campaign for President,” he said in a statement on Tuesday that surprised the American political pundits.

“I cannot tell you what an honour it has been to run for President of the United States of America. My parents came to this country 45 years ago searching for freedom and a chance,” Mr Jindal said. Mr Jindal was once seen as a rising star in the Republican Party and a strong contender for the White House. He rose to prominence at the start of President Barack Obama’s first term and was given a major spot delivering the Republican Party’s rebuttal to the State of the Union address in 2009.

Mr Jindal had failed to qualify for the Republican debate on November 10. He said he believes that the Republicans have to be the party of growth and it can never stop being the party that believes in opportunity.

“We cannot settle for the Left’s view of envy and division. We have to be the party that says everyone in this country — no matter the circumstances of their birth or who their parents are — can succeed in America,” he said.