Bitter fight for Mayoral race in Edison

In a bitter fight for Mayoral race in Edison, Indian and Chinese community face racial profiling and attacks by unknown miscreants. Incumbent Mayor Tom Lankey faces a challenge from Keith Hahn who is contesting the election on the Republican ticket in an otherwise Democrat dominated town. Tom is contesting re-election on Democratic ticket. A flyer with racial attack on Indian and Asian candidates has been circulated and caused tremendous tension in Edison. Either candidates are supported by Indian community leaders who have aggressively protested against the racial attack. Local business leaders such as Sanjeev Aneja has announced a prize to investigate and find the culprits (see Sanjeev Aneja comments and Contributions announced).

A local group had attacked Dr Nimisha Shukla's property on the busy Oaktree Road and vandalized the sign board. The attacker even went upstairs in her building where a Radio host was live on air on local South Asian Radio 8K on 1600 AM, a frequency owned by her. Radio had recently done a debate on the burning issue of racial attack in Edison. Dr Shukla complained to Mayor Lankey who assured her of investigating through local police.

Sunil Hali, Publisher and promoter said, Lets' speak for our community which is "True Game Changer" in Edison, NJ.. as a major contributor in building local economy, raising intelligent next generation, bringing new businesses and new jobs, increasing value of real estate and contributing to political candidates from either parties, thus, becoming a role model community. I urge either candidate to stop such attacks and work with Indian-Americans to take this town to the next level."

Sanjeev Aneja, a local businessman, who announced the cash award while challenging both candidate to investigate internally, and confirm that they will resign if the attack is tracked back to their campaign. Keith Hahn has accepted the challenge while Mayor Lankey has not responded so far. Sanjeev has urged the community to vote for Keith and said, "it's a great initiative as a responsible citizen and I request more and more community leaders to come out and support this to undercover the culprits behind this disgusting flyer. We have 2 days to go and I hope the election is not decided based on such cowardly culprits hatred and divisive flyer. It doesn't have to be monetary support but every one who thinks this is right cause, come out and denounce this hatred flyer. Election will be over but the wounds and scar will take years to heal. Still there is time for elected and nominated people from south Asian community to declare their stand of action if culprits are caught...

Said Sanjeev, "At some number this has to be tempting enough. And my promise is that we will do our very best to help the one who comes forward with confession. Our goal is not to punish, but our goal is to find out why. If it was for political gains, then NOT ACCEPTABLE! That will have to take it's legal course. COME FORWARD PLEASE IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING. It looks like enough people from all races and colors are saying that 'we are in it to help'. And that's what makes a diverse community great.

The following persons have committed so far towards $10,000 target which is being now raised to $25,000
Keith Hahn - $2000
Biren Jhaveri - $1000 with a promise to raise the difference as needed
Bimal Joshi - $1000
Josh Elkes - $1000
Sunil Hali - $1000
Rickey D. Cooper - $1000
Chandra Patel - $1000
Sanjeev Aneja - $1000
Devender Makkar -$251
Deepak Malhotra - $250
Kunal Joshi - $250
Noorie Nisar - $150
Neel Choksi - $100

"Indian community have to overcome from party line, and we have to look at the real issues of EDISON Township like Sky rocketing real estate taxes, over crowding of schools, cronyism, community center and a full-time kinder garden. We need to seriously look into that and select a full time mayor who really looks in to the problems. Please introspect your soul and decide. Fifth largest town definitely needs a full-time Mayor", said local community leader Bimal Joshi

Said Peter Kothari,"When its a local election, party line is not much important, the person and local issues are much more important. I value everyone’s opinion, thoughts and views but we all must see what is more important? A person’s stand for community for years, stand up and fight for rights of the our community? or support corrupt people in power? special interest, greedy and looking for personal or business opportunity and work against interest of a community? I have been very active for last 30 years and people should compare apple to apple and not apple to orange. Three or four months ago someone was Democrat and chairman of town party and was ok and that same person served party and community for years and found out something, he is better of changing party and need opportunity to serve community and decide to change party and run for position, why some people will have a problem? In my opinion Keith did right thing and history is rewritten for interest of community. Those sitting in their home in comfort zone and who criticize someone is not fair, First ask them when critical issues facing by community who takes a stand? Who fights for the community? So please try to find out whole truth before criticizing anyone. I think and I am confident Keith Hahn is a best candidate and best choice for Mayor of Edison"

Pointing at Mayor Tom Lankey and local public officers including many from Indian community, Dave Makkar said, "Here we have small town politicians that are refusing to give formal apologies for the worst ever called Racial Slurs to the Indo-American Community in US history in the Municipal Complex of Edison! "Indians are cockroaches, animals, illegal & go home". On the other hand Keith Hahn has graciously called and said he has no problem in giving Formal Apology once he is elected Mayor of Edison. Even most recently Canadian PM Justin Trudeau on May 18, 2016 gave a formal "full apology" for the Komagata Maru incident in the House of Commons to the Indian Community. The Komagata Maru incident happened in 1914 in that 376 passengers from Punjab, British India were denied entry into Canada. This was one of several incidents in the early 20th century in which exclusion laws in Canada and the United States were used to exclude immigrants of Asian origin".

It looks like November 7, 2017 may be a landmark date in this town of Edison when many Indian candidates are contesting while many from mainstream are counting on support from Indian community to make it the office.