Another Indian-origin businessman has made history in the US mayoral elections. Real estate entrepreneur Swaranjit Singh Khalsa has been elected as the Mayor of Norwich city in Connecticut.
NEW YORK: Another Indian-origin businessman has made history by winning a mayoral election in the US. Swaranjit Singh Khalsa, originally from Jalandhar district in Punjab, has been elected as the Mayor of Norwich city in Connecticut. He has become Norwich's first Sikh Mayor. In the general elections held on November 4, Democratic candidate Swaranjit Singh received a total of 3,978 votes (57.25 percent), while his Republican opponent Stacy Gold secured 2,828 votes (40.7 percent). Several Indian-origin candidates registered historic victories in this election, including New York City's newly elected Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Who is Swaranjit Singh?
Swaranjit Singh Khalsa is involved in the real estate business and also owns a gas station in Norwich. His family decided to leave India after the anti-Sikh riots in 1984. In 2007, his family permanently settled in America. According to Swaranjit's election website, he described Norwich as "a city" that welcomed his family with open arms.
Swaranjit stated, “This victory is not just mine, but a victory for the entire Sikh community. I am proud to have been able to become the Mayor of Norwich, representing my community.”
Widespread Support Despite Few Sikh Families
Only about 10 Sikh families reside in Norwich city, yet Swaranjit's victory was based on widespread support and voter trust. This indicates that his electoral success was not solely based on religion or background; rather, his personal image, community service, and leadership abilities played a crucial role in winning people's confidence.
Swaranjit Singh's victory becomes even more significant in the American political landscape, where several Indian-origin leaders have recently registered historic wins. These include New York's Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Virginia's newly elected Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi, Ohio's Mayor Aftab Pureval, and former Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who was elected to the New Jersey State Assembly. This trend reflects the increasing participation and influence of Indian-origin leaders in American politics.
During his election campaign, Swaranjit emphasized local economic development, job creation, infrastructure improvement, and better communication with the community. His election manifesto included measures to improve healthcare services, education, and public safety. Swaranjit believes that the growth of small and medium businesses is crucial for the local economy, and he is committed to making Norwich economically b.
