Washington: Undeterred by his narrow defeat in the race for Governorship of Louisiana last November, Indian-American Bobby Jindal has announced his plans to run for the US (United States) Congress.

He would run for the first Congressional district seat in his home State Louisiana, being vacated by his fellow Republican David Vitter who is running for the Senate instead, Jindal said yesterday (Jan 30, 2004). "I have thought long and hard with my wife about the opportunities that are in front of us, and where we feel I can continue to make a positive impact for our State. That is why I am officially announcing that I am a candidate for the Congress in first district," said Jindal, surrounded by his wife and two-year old daughter.

"When God closes one door, he opens another. I understand there's a job opening here," said 32-year old Jindal, a former health care adviser to President George W Bush who lost the November gubernatorial elections to Democrat Kathleen Blanco.

On issues that would be part of his campaign, Jindal said, "The same issues that I discussed last year - more jobs, higher paying jobs, more business and industry and more economic opportunity in Louisiana are still prevalent today."

Congressman Vitter joined Jindal at the announcement and stated his support for him. State representative Steve Scalise has also declared his candidacy for the seat and State representative A G Crowe is expected to announce whether he will run on Monday (Feb 2, 2004). Both are fellow Republicans.

If he wins, Jindal would be the second Indian-American to serve in Congress after Dalip Singh Saund, who was a California Congressman from 1957 to 1963.