NEWYORK: The pro India lobby received a blow when their main congressional supporter Stephen J. Solarz was ousted in New York’s primary race Sept.15 by Nydia Velazquez.
Considered by many to be an ‘enemy of the Sikh community’ who supported the repressive Hindu Regime in India Solarz had worked hard to defeat Sikh supporters, Dan Burton and Wally Heger.
To further fuel his campaign war chest Solarz recently wrote to his proIndia supporters; “As Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific
Affairs, I have been able to assume a leadership role in providing increased support for India. I have made eight visits to India, travelled all over the country, and discussed democracy with all of its past and current leaders. .
“I have tried over the years to ensure that India obtained critical aid and, as a result of my efforts, that nation has received over $2 billion in American assistance over the last 14 years.
“In addition, I have opposed the sale of sophisticated weapons to Pakistan that could be against India in future wars.
I passed legislation that would cut off aid to Pakistan if it persisted in trying to smuggle nuclear technology out of the U.S.
General Zia, the former military dictator of Pakistan, once called me “the voice of India in the U.S. Congress.” He meant it as a criticism took it as a compliment!
I am committed to democracies like India and will continue to help.
I need your help and support to continue to remain in Congress to work for improved Indo-American relations.”
Representative Solarz, the nine term incumbent from Brooklyn, was defeated for re-election by Nydia M.Velazquez, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s former Representative in New York, in the Democratic primary.
Ms. Velazquez, did what political analysts said was virtually impossible.
Solarz had struggled to save his career after redistricting legislators in Albany wiped out his old Brooklyn district.
As he sat awaiting results in his Bush wick, Brooklyn, campaign headquarters, an exhausted Solarz, 52, mused about the end of his political career after 18 years in Congress and six years in the New York State Assembly.
Solarz was swept into Congress in 1974, one of the young insurgents who rode to victory in the wake of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal. But in a year of anti-incumbent sentiment, the Brooklyn Democrat, who was once considered invincible in his heavily Jewish district, emerged as one of the worst abusers of the check-writing privileges of the House bank. He wrote 743 overdrafts over a three-year period.
After lengthy polling and with the $2 million in contributions he had amassed to face another incumbent, he announced his decision to run in the 12th Congressional District, which had no incumbent and had been drawn to enhance the political power of Hispanics, who were nearly 60% of the district.
Despite his lack of renown in the district, Solarz was expected to benefit from his enormous advantage in contributions and because of the crowded field of five Hispanic candidates.
U.S. Panthic Committee speaks Dr. Amarjit Sigh said “Democratic voters in N.Y,’s 12th district deserve our congratulations and appreciation for giving a much deserved defeat to Stephen Solarz, a paid agent of the Indian govt. in the U.S. Congress. It should be an eye opener for all other Indian lobbyist that people can’t be fooled by mere monetary power, In this case Hispanics, Sikhs, Muslims and justice loving whites got together to expose the hypocritical Congressman who always defended India’s killing of its minorities. Millions of dollars donated by Hindu Indian businessmen and professionals in this country couldn’t save him from a humiliating defeat. Sikhs should continue to work to expose mischievous Indian machinations.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 25, 1992
