Desi women set to script history in US

Indian-Americans are all set to increase their headcount in the US Congress as more candidates from the community, including women, are expected to win in the November elections.

With the prospect of a woman being elected for the first time as the President of the country getting brighter, Indian-American women are sailing ahead to create history by entering both the Senate and the US House of Representatives.

If local reports and political pundits are to be believed, California Attorney General Kamala Harris, 51, a close confidant of US President Barack Obama, is all set to be elected to the US Senate; thus making her the first Indian-American that too a woman to enter the upper house of the US Congress.

Similarly, Pramila Jayapal, 51, is cruising towards victory for the US House of Representatives Seat from the Washington State. She would be the first Indian-American woman to be elected to the House, which so far had three members from this minority ethnic community.

While Dalip Singh Saund was the first Indian-American to be elected to the House of Representatives in 1950s, it was only in the 21st century that the community could see another member elected to the Congress. Bobby Jindal from Louisiana was elected twice before he went on be become two-term governor of Louisiana.

Ami Bera, the only Indian-American in the current Congress is seeking his third consecutive term from California’s hotly contested set.

Embroiled in a controversy with regard to his father’s fund raisings, Mr Bera, 51, like his previous two contests, is engaged in a tight fight this time too, which is again expected to run into re-count of ballots.

His fellow Democrat Ro Khanna, 40, is hoping to be lucky this time and repeat his primary performance to defeat his party’s incumbent Congressman Mike Honda. Mr Khanna, who has raised a record amount of money, had gained more votes than Mr Honda in the primary elections this summer. He received 52,059 votes against Mr Honda’s 49,823 votes.

In the 2014 general elections, Mr Khanna lost to Mr Honda with a little over 5,000 votes. This time he hopes to enter the US House of Representatives, but political pundits are yet to bet on a sure shot win for him against a formidable and seasoned Honda.