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Srinivasa Drums Up Indian Support For Bush

Krishna Srinivasa, former president of Indian American Forum For Political Education, has formed the Indian Americans for George W Bush committee to raise funds and mobilize support for the presidential race of the Texas governor. A staunch Republican, he had campaigned for Newt Gingrich, the former speaker, and a fellow Georgian.

Bush met Srinivasa and a handful of Indian community leaders for lunch at the governor's mansion last month. Also present was Donald Evans, the National Finance Chairman for the Republican Party.

"Indians have done very well under Republican presidents," Srinivasa said, adding that the record of Ronald Reagan and George Bush in appointing Indians in key White House positions far outweighs that of Democrat President Bill Clinton. For instance, Reagan appointed Joy Cherian commissioner of the influential Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The first Asian appointed for the position, Cherian served under Bush.

Srinivasa added that the Republican platform of fiscal conservatism should appeal to most Indian Americans. The state of Texas has the 11th largest economy in the world, he pointed out, adding that the steps taken by Governor Bush in redressing welfare waste and falling educational standards are being emulated in other states.

The Indian Americans for George W Bush will take part in his visit to Chicago on June 11, Detroit on June 24, and in Fort Lauderdale on June 25. George W Bush and his brother Jeb Bush, the governor of Florida, will meet Indian Americans in Fort Lauderdale on June 25.

The group consists of physicians such as Ranga Reddy, till recently the head of Association of American Physicians of Indian Origin and businessmen like Viren Bisla and Atul Bisaria.

"We expect Indian Americans not only to be excellent fund-raisers but also strong grassroot workers," Srinivasa said, adding that helping voter registration drives and encouraging people to vote is also important.

American voters have become apathetic, with just about 45 per cent voting in the presidential elections, while many state elections are won with less than 25 per cent voter participation. "We expect voter registration volunteers to be active in smaller elections, too," Srinivasa said, adding, "By ensuring the democratic process moves on, Indian Americans get to demonstrate that they belong to this country and they care about its political and social institutions."

Republicans in the past have drawn the support of top Indian physicians and businessmen. Among them are Zach Zachariah, the wealthy Florida physician, who had held a $ 10,000 plate dinner for George Bush's second presidential candidacy.

When Bush ran against Michael Dukakis, one of the first fundraising dinners he attended was at the house of Detroit physician Raj Bothra.

Bothra, a movie buff (and one-time movie producer, Mehndi, starring Raj Babbar), declared at that dinner: "Bush means boom, Dukakis means doom." Several Republicans got badges made with that slogan.

Bothra and Zachariah are also expected to join the committee.

Others involved in the committee are: Viren Bisla, Chicago, (773) 734-2800; Bharat Barai, Indiana, (219) 736-2800; Ranga Reddy, Illinois, (217) 788-5525; Raju Vattikuti, Detroit, (248) 848-2265; Gopal Basisht, Florida, (407) 628-2771 and Atul Bisaria, Florida, (954) 776-4880.

Krishna Srinivasa can be contacted at (770) 443-4300.

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