On July 22, U.S. President Joe Biden made a decisive move. President Biden had faced pressure to withdraw his candidacy after his first TV debate with former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, on June 28.
Many voices called for him to step down due to his age and health issues. This demand for his withdrawal also came from within his Democratic party. Despite expressing his intention to complete the presidential race, Biden ultimately decided to bow out of the reelection bid.
With just 107 days left until the election, the Democratic Party must find a new candidate to replace Biden. Kamala Harris, the current Vice President, is the leading contender to succeed him.
After announcing his withdrawal from the presidential race, Biden expressed his support for Harris. Meanwhile, interest in Harris is heating up not just in the U.S. but also in India.
There’s a significant reason for the heightened interest in Harris in India. Harris’s mother was born among the Tamil people of southern India. CNN reported, “Major Indian media outlets are covering the news of President Biden’s withdrawal alongside significant coverage of Vice President Harris.”
Harris had previously captured significant attention in India. When she was officially inaugurated as Vice President in 2021, the residents of Thulasendrapuram—her maternal grandfather’s hometown—celebrated by setting off fireworks and displaying her photographs.
Harris’s maternal grandfather, P. V. Gopalan, was a senior government official in India. Harris mentioned during the 2020 election that her mother was very proud of her Indian heritage and taught her about it.
CNN added, “Indian Americans are considered an increasingly active group in U.S. politics.” Usha Chilukuri Vance, the wife of Republican vice-presidential candidate Senator J.D. Vance, is of Indian descent. Also, Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and a former Republican presidential primary contender, is of Indian descent.
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