'Indian-Americans very concerned about Trump's rhetoric'

Indian-Americans are "very concerned" about the rhetoric from Donald Trump who has "poisoned" the political dialogue with his insults to immigrants and women.

New York, Oct 31: Indian-Americans are "very concerned" about the rhetoric from Donald Trump who has "poisoned" the political dialogue with his insults to immigrants and women, US House of Representatives contender Raja Krishnamoorthi has said.

Krishnamoorthi, 42, is contesting for the 8th Congressional District of Illinois that includes west and northwest Chicago suburbs. He won the Democratic Party's Congressional primary in Illinois in March and has also been endorsed by President Barack Obama.

Obama, in a rare video message this week, described Krishnamoorthi as his "good friend" and called on Americans to vote for him. Obama said when he had run for the US Senate, Krishnamoorthi had helped him "develop ideas for building an economy that works for everyone. Now Raja's plans will help small businesses grow, raise wages, and help families pay for college."

Krishnamoorthi said he was "honoured" to have the support and endorsements of the President as well as those of other bodies and unions. He said the endorsements from the leading Chicago area newspapers, that have different perspectives, "means that we are doing something right".

Krishnamoorthi's district has a sizable Indian-American population and Krishnamoorthi said the community, in its interaction with him, say, "they are very concerned about the rhetoric coming from people like Donald Trump who has basically poisoned the political dialogue in this country with his insults to immigrants, people with disabilities, women, other minorities and veterans.

"People more than ever are yearning for unity in the face of the collective challenges confronting the country. Indian- Americans feel that call to action and call to unity even more keenly," Krishnamoorthi told PTI.

"Trump says these things in a very cynical way. I personally think that he knows better but he is trying to deliberately appeal to the worst instincts in Americans," he said.

Krishnamoorthi emphasised that the only way for people to combat such rhetoric is to become more politically engaged and to vote and express their preferences for the way they believe America should be run through the political process.

"Now more than ever people have to vote and ensure that November 8 is the day when America decides to go in the direction of unity and collective teamwork in facing the common challenges confronting the country," he said.

Krishnamoorthi expressed strong appreciation for the India-US relationship, which he said has steadily become stronger and deeper.

He underscored that a strong relationship between the two democracies is crucial as the world confronts a plethora of challenges. "I hope to be a positive force in developing the relationship between the world's oldest democracy and the world's largest democracy.

PTI