
CLEVELAND,OH- The Republican National Convention held here from July 18 to 21 had a large delegation of Indian- Americans from all over US. Southern California was represented by members of the Indian American Republicans of California which included Chairman Emeritus K V Kumar, Co-Chairs Dilip Butani and Amrit Bhandari; Arun Bhumitra and Nachhattar Chandi. The two leading Indian-Americans in the Republican party -
Bobby Jindal and Nikki Haley- were not on the list of speakers. Once a leading star of the party, former Governor of Louisiana Jindal, was a sharp critic of Trump during the presidential primary. He did not attend the convention. However, he plans to vote for Trump in the Nov general election being a dedicated party member. South Carolina Governor Haley, declined an invitation to speak at the Convention.Her differences with Trump are well-known. She was one of the leading national speakers at the Convention in Tampa in 2012. During the primaries Haley had supported Trump’s two opponents. She attended the convention but maintained a low profile.
In attendance were delegates Dr Sampat Shivangi from Mississippi, Harmeet Dhillon from Northern California, the first vice chairman in California’s Republican Party history, while Shivangi is now a regular feature at the conventions.
Young and energetic Raj Shah was there in his capacity as heading the department of research against Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The Republican Hindu Coalition, was led by Shalabh ‘Shalli’ Kumar and Abhay Patel, the GOP Senate candidate from Louisiana.
In attendance were delegates Dr Sampat Shivangi from Mississippi, Harmeet Dhillon from Northern California, the first vice chairman in California’s Republican Party history, while Shivangi is now a regular feature at the conventions.
Young and energetic Raj Shah was there in his capacity as heading the department of research against Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The Republican Hindu Coalition, was led by Shalabh ‘Shalli’ Kumar and Abhay Patel, the GOP Senate candidate from Louisiana.