Kamala Harris' 2020 US presidential bid excites Indian-Americans

Kamala Harris' plunge in 2020 US presidential race has thrilled Indian-American community which considers first Indian-origin Senator's "groundbreaking" anuncement a "proud moment" and a reflection that Indian-Americans have finally arrived at centre st of US politics.

Harris, 54, officially launched her campaign for US presidential election in 2020 to take on President Donald Trump on January 21, saying she was "houred" to anunce her bid on a day when Americans celebrated Martin Lur King Jr who sought inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi.

A rising party star and vocal critic of President Trump, Harris, who is quite often described as female Barack Obama in Democratic party, is fourth Democrat to join battle for party's mination in next year's election.

While it's too early to say on results of grilling presidential primary that would conclude with Democratic National Convention in July 2020, Indian-American community leers said Harris who is of mixed parental herit from India and Caribbean has a fair and clear shot at White House.

"It's a proud moment for Indian-American community to see one of our own anunce to run for president," eminent philanthropist and venture capitalist M R Rangaswami, founder of Indiaspora, told PTI.

Indian-American Impact Fund, a political action committee that supports Indian-Americans candidates, said it was "thrilled" by Senator Harris' "groundbreaking" anuncement.

"As first viable Indian-American candidate for President of United States, she is a trailblazer for our community and a champion for our values. We applaud her decision and look forward to supporting her enthusiastically in days and months ahe," it said.

Harris would create history by becoming first woman to be elected as US President if she wins 2020 presidential race against Trump.

community members cautioned that politicians cant take Indian-Americans for granted and need to earn support of community.

"Any politician shouldn't look at Indian-American community as a molith at all. y cant take us for granted because we also have a Hindu American running for president, Tulsi Gabbard, and she has been also reaching out and getting supporters," Silicon Valley-based Rangaswami said.

Gabbard, first Hindu elected to House of Representatives, has also anunced her bid for 2020 presidential election.

"body can take us for granted and y have to come talk to us, earn our vote, earn our support. community is t just rey to go behind any one person, and also it shows that community has gained a lot more influence...," he said.

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After becoming high-profile Senator from California, Harris, whose mor Shyamala Gopalan migrated from Tamil Nu to US as a young student for higher studies, has maintained a distance from Indian-American community, which has felt proud of her accomplishments.

It is only in last six months that she has started attending some of Indian-American events.

"Is she a viable candidate? answer's yes," Virginia-based Shekar Narasimhan, chairman and founder of AAPI Victory Fund, told PTI.

"She has at least same credentials as (former president) Barack Obama did," he said.

However, it's too early to say on Democratic party's presidential race, winner of which in all probability would have to face incumbent Donald Trump, he observed.

In at least four of early primary States Neva, rth Carolina, California and Virginia Harris would need support of Asian Americans where y are in significant numbers, he said.

"We do t kw today, if she can win or t. But she has a chance (to win presidency)," Narasimhan said, ding that it was never case with Republican Bobby Jindal, first Indian-American to run for White House in 2016.

"It's amazing! Isn't it that we have a viable candidate, who is at least half Indian-American running for president of United States? I don't kw if anyone of us thought that this was going to happen anytime soon," said long-time Democratic political activist from Virginia.

"My first reaction and reaction of everybody I talked to from next generation was: We have arrived," he said.

Eminent Indian-American Frank Islam, who was closely associated with Clinton campaign in 2016, said Harris will be a formidable challenger.

"But she needs to define herself and she needs to differentiate herself from or challengers in crowded democratic presidential field," he said.

"She has personal story - a child of mixed race that will resonate well with Americans. She is t well kwn but her work as a prosecutor will demonstrate her toughness but her record will be under scrutiny," Islam said.

Indian-Americans constitute 1 per cent of American population and are one of fastest growing mirities in country.

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