A businessman from Andhra Pradesh is planning to run for the post of mayor of a city in United States, saying he has the vision to help make the city among the best in the US.
According to American media, Hanu Karlapalem (51) is likely to formally announce his candidacy at an event in Madison, one of Alabama's fastest growing cities.
Born in Andhra Pradesh, Karlapalem now runs a network solutions business, Vinhamz, in Madison, in Alabama states of southeastern US.
Karlapalem studied mechanical engineer at Delhi College of Engineering and moved to Alabama when his wife, Vidya, took a job in software development in the Huntsville area 16 years ago.
"I bet you cannot find any Indian American in city, state or local offices in the South," Karlapalem was quoted as saying in news website AL.com.
"If (the voters) decide I am the right person to lead this city, that would be a historic election, not only in Madison, but in the state of Alabama," Karlapalem said.
As his statement of purpose Hanu had written, “I want to serve the people of Madison in ways that will create positive, long-term sustainable results and effectively represent all residents of our Madison melting pot.”
Karlapalem had first considered running for mayor last March and said he has served on an elected board for the University of Alabama in Hunstville alumni, was president of the local Indian association for Huntsville and Madison and has served on the board of the international exchange programs Global Ties Alabama and International Services Council of Alabama.
He said he would use his experience to "promote a culture of diplomacy" and feels he could do a better job communicating with the city council.
"This city is one of the most intelligent and best educated cities yet we are not even at the top 10 in the nation," said Karlapalem, saying Madison has fallen behind on improving roads, increasing job growth and internal communication.
"We are 10 to 15 years, even 20 years behind," he said of roads in particular.