As the 2024 US presidential election approaches, the campaign team for Vice President Kamala Harris is making a concerted effort to engage South Asian voters. In a groundbreaking initiative, they have unveiled a special video in multiple Indian languages, including Marathi, to rally support for Harris among the Indian-American community. On Thursday, the Indian American Democratic Fundraiser released the video, which showcases Bollywood-inspired content aimed at attracting voters.
The creative endeavor is part of a broader strategy to resonate with the diverse cultural backgrounds of South Asian voters, with messages delivered in languages such as Telugu, Gujarati, Punjabi, Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam, and Urdu. Ajay Bhutoria, a member of the National Finance Committee for Harris's campaign, emphasized the importance of this outreach, stating, "Kamala Harris brings joy and hope to the community. She is a beacon of hope for more than 5 million Indian Americans."
Bhutoria highlighted the mobilization efforts, noting that thousands of South Asian volunteers are engaging in grassroots campaigning, knocking on doors, and working tirelessly to secure votes for Harris, contrasting her unifying message with that of former President Donald Trump, who is often perceived as divisive. The catchy lyrics of the campaign song, “Hamari Harris, Yeh Kamala Harris, Jitegi To Nacho Nacho Nacho,” capture the spirit of celebration and encourage voters to rally behind Harris. The video not only aims to inform but also to entertain, leveraging Bollywood's cultural influence to foster a sense of community and enthusiasm for the electoral process.
As the electoral landscape becomes more competitive, the campaign's focus on swing states such as Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada is crucial. These states, known for their fluctuating voting patterns, are pivotal in determining the outcome of the election. While California and New York are traditionally Democratic strongholds, and Texas consistently supports Republicans, the dynamics in battleground states could prove decisive.
Currently, Kamala Harris is projected to secure 226 electoral votes, with Trump at 219. However, both candidates must focus their efforts on the remaining 93 crucial votes. With the election drawing closer, Harris's campaign is pulling out all the stops to ensure they connect with every voter, particularly those from the South Asian community, who could play a significant role in shaping the election results. As the campaign unfolds, it remains to be seen how effective these innovative outreach efforts will be, but one thing is clear: the voices of Indian Americans are being heard loud and clear in the lead-up to this pivotal election.
