Community Leaders Ankur Vaidya, Dipak Shah Endorse Mahesh Bhagia for Edison Mayor

Indian American candidate for mayor of Edison, New Jersey, Mahesh Bhagia. (photo courtesy of Mahesh Bhagia)

India-West Staff Reporter

Ankur Vaidya, who currently serves as chairman of the Federation of Indian Associations of NY/NJ/CT, as well as Dipak Shah, chair of the Federation of Indo-American Seniors Associations of North America, March 11 endorsed Democratic candidate Mahesh Bhagia for mayor of Edison, New Jersey.

Bhagia, if elected in November, will be the first Indian American to hold that position.

Bhagia is among five candidates – including three Indian Americans – running for the mayoral post in the township (see India-West article here: https://bit.ly/30Gat9q).

“Mahesh is the best choice for mayor. I have known Mahesh for many, many years and in addition to his qualifications, Mahesh has a demonstrated record of getting things done for residents,” Vaidya said in a statement. “I am proud to wholeheartedly endorse Mahesh Bhagia for mayor and my request to the community is that they support him.”

Most recently, Bhagia organized pop-up food pantries, and distributed PPEs to seniors, frontline healthcare workers, and first responders. He also led an effort to support local Edison businesses, the release noted.

Bhagia secured the nomination of the Edison Democratic Organization in a landslide victory, defeating his opponent 101 votes to 32 votes.

“I am proud to wholeheartedly endorse Mahesh Bhagia as the candidate for mayor of Edison Township,” said Shah, who described Bhagia as “a leader who will put Edison and its residents first.”

The Federation of Indian Associations of the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut is one of the largest esteemed umbrella organizations in the Indian community.