Indians in the US celebrated Bobby Jindal’s impressive win with 53% votes to become the first non-White Governor of Louisiana. The 36-year old represents the Republicans, and mirrors the growing political aspirations of the NRI community in the US.

The smooth victory offset the need for the run-off poll scheduled for November 17, which would have been held had no clear winner emerged with at least 50% votes.

This is Jindal’s second running for the Governorship, losing to Kathleen Blanco four years ago.

This time Bobby scored over 11 opponents, which included 2 Democrats, State Senator Walter Boasso and businessman John Georges, who garnered 18% and 14% of the votes respectively.

Bobby takes over as Governor in January 2008, and will continue as Congressman from the First Congressional Districts in the suburbs of New Orleans.

Incumbent Kathleen Blanco opted out of the campaign after facing the flak for mismanaging the Katrina hurricane disaster.

As the first Indian-origin Governor in the US, fighting corruption would be high on Jindal’s agenda, and intends to call for a special session for ethics reform.

Sharing the excitement over the win were the residents of Sazida Colony in Khanpur, Sangrur, the village Jindal hails from.

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