IndiaPost.com - Indians to raise $10 mn for Obama

WASHINGTON: A leading organization of Indian Americans that backed Hillary Clinton's White House bid has now extended support to triumphant Democratic candidate Barack Obama and pledged to raise $10 million, giving a major boost to his campaign for the November Presidential election. 'American Indians for Democrats' decided to endorse Obama to ensure that a Democrat occupies the White House in the next presidential elections, Chairman Sant Singh Chatwal told PTI.

Chatwal said that his organization plans to hold a major fund raiser for Obama next month where the Indian community would raise at least $10 million, thus making it the biggest such event for him. Replying to a question, the leading hotelier said Indian Americans had been supporting Hillary Clinton but now that she had endorsed Obama, "there is no reason for them not to put their full weight behind him".

Earlier, the organisation had raised USD five million for Clinton's campaign. Both Obama and Clinton were present at the function where Chatwal formally endorsed Obama who warmly shook hands with him. When Chatwal said the Indians Americans would raise at least USD 10 million, Obama said he was sure they would accomplish it. Chatwal appealed to the Indian Americans to fully support Obama, asserting that he would take care of their concerns as also work closely with them in strengthening growing Indo-American relations.

Chatwal said Obama's office had been trying to contact him to ensure that the Indian American supports him but they were awaiting Clinton's endorsement of the Illinois Senator who has scripted history by being the first African American Presidential nominee of a major US party.

The growing influence of the Indian community with its members occupying important position in media and major corporations has led the Presidential candidates to actively seek their support and Obama too was visibly happy to get the endorsement at the event covered by mainstream media. Obama, meanwhile, told financial supporters of his former Democratic White House rival Clinton that he would personally donate money to help pay off her debt.