American People Set to Create History by Electing Kamala Harris: Democratic Leader Neil Makhija

Philadelphia: Former President Donald Trump was fired by 80 million American people in 2020 presidential poll and y still do t trust him, Indian-origin Democratic leader Neil Makhija said, days ahead of election day.

In an interview with PTI, Harvard-educated Makhija, who is emerging as a prominent face in Democratic Party and overseeing Vice President Kamala Harris' campaigning in Pennsylvania said it is even concerning to think that Trump could even be close to being back to White House.

He said people of US are all set to create history by electing Harris as first woman president of country.

Makhija is serving as Montgomery County Commissioner and Chair of Board of Elections. He is first Indian American Commissioner elected in history of Pennsylvania and many Democrats believe that young leader could be in Harris' cabinet if she wins election.

On Trump's repeated jibe at Harris that 'Kamala, you are fired', Makhija said Republican leader was rejected by people of US four years back while Harris is a ray of hope for country.

US presidential election will be held on vember 5 and polls by CNN and or outlets showed both Harris and Trump are locked in a dead heat for popular votes in most battleground states.

"Donald Trump lost last election. He was fired by 80 million people in United States who voted against him and said y wanted him out of office. And he still does t admit that happened," Makhija said.

"In fact he tried to overturn election, he incited a violent mob to try to prevent transfer of power in 2021 and he is very dangerous," he added.

As Chair of Board of Elections, Makhija is focused on combating election disinformation, pioneering a national standard for voting rights, and ensuring safe and secure elections.

"I think it is concerning to think that he could even be close to being back to power because he could be even more dangerous second time," he said.

"I do think American people realise that he does t tell truth, he is t someone y would trust with ir own children," he added.

On issues that will impact voting by Indian-Americans, Makhija said good education, opportunity to excel and protection of US's value system are some of focus areas of community.

" Indian American community believes in American dream. We want to see our children work hard, have opportunity to get a good education and be able to contribute to larger society as a whole," he said.

"I think candidates who care about those basic principles, matter who you are, where you are from, you should have opportunity if you work hard," Makhija ted.

Democratic leader said Harris will be a president who cares for everyone, t only her supporters.

"Having Kamala Devi Harris as US president will be tremendously important t just for our community but for women, African-Americans and for all of people who have never seen mselves having a seat at table," he said.

"I am very excited to see her getting elected and to make history in 2024. I did t think this would happen in early part of my lifetime. I have kwn her since she was a district attorney. I have seen her serve as a US senator and it is such an hor to be here and participate and to be part of making history," he said.

Makhija also referred to Democratic Vice Presidential hopeful Tim Walz's visit to a Hindu temple in Montgomery this week, and took an indirect dig at Trump on his immigration policy.

"At a time, when politics sometimes becomes anti-immigrant or re is rhetoric around excluding people, keeping m out of country, I think he (Walz) showed that he cares about every community and Indian-Americans as well," he said.

presidential election race remained razor-tight. latest CNN polls showed that Harris has a narrow advant in Michigan and Wisconsin, while she and Trump remain tied in Pennsylvania.

In Michigan, Harris holds a lead over Trump by 48 per cent to 43 per cent among likely voters, according to findings Harris also leads Trump in Wisconsin, where 51 per cent support her to 45 per cent for Trump, but race is tied in Pennsylvania with both having 48 per cent support.

More than 62 million voters have cast early ballots, according to University of Florida’s Election Lab.