Well, the politician who had called Trump an 'insurgent' was -- India-born Aruna Miller, then a US Democrat delegate

"India looks forward to welcoming @POTUS @realDonaldTrump. It is an honour that he will be with us tomorrow, starting with the historic programme in Ahmedabad," Modi wrote on Twitter.

PM responded to a tweet from Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani that "entire Gujarat speaks in one voice- #NamasteTrump".

Do you know the India-born US politician who called Trump - an insurgent ?

(As the stage is set for US President Donald Trump's visit to India and that also coinciding with his electioneering season, let us take a closer look at circa 2016 when two other American politicians had visited India -- that also months ahead of US presidential polls and recalls one Democrat leader calling Trump an 'insurgent' !)


Well, the politician who had called Trump an 'insurgent' was -- India-born Aruna Miller, then a US Democrat delegate (equivalent to India’s legislator – member of a state legislative assembly) from
Maryland.

"In our party (Democrats), the super delegate system allows screening of candidates for the US presidential polls. I wish Republican also had similar system. Our Democratic Party has a system of super delegates. Republicans do not have this. If they had Super delegate mechanism, I don't think their candidate would have been an insurgent like Donald Trump," Hyderabad-born Aruna Miller had said in an interaction at the American Center Library, New Delhi.

Sept 22, 2019, Houston 

In American politics, 'Super delegate' is considered 'unpledged

delegate' to the Democratic National Convention who are free to

support any candidate for the presidential nomination. This mechanism

is, however, not practiced in the Republican Party to which Trump

belongs.

Interestingly, even as lot of hype is created about Indian-Americans

role vis-a-vis 2020 presidential polls, in 2016 too a lot of

importance was given to this bloc of citizenry in the US.

"You guys (Indians as individuals) are greatly involved in the world

affairs. It is a good sign. It is a sign of mature citizenry of the

world's largest democracy," Republican senator Wayne Harper had

remarked at the same venue - of course in the presence of Miller.

It will be interesting to note that in 2016 - in the run up to the

polls pitted against Hillary Clinton - Trump, the maverick Republican

candidate, used to make headlines generally for wrong reasons.

“I think this will be the last election (2016 polls) that the Republicans have a chance of winning because you’re going to have people flowing across the border, you’re going to have illegal

immigrants coming in and they’re going to be legalized,” Trump had said.

“....Already the path is much more difficult for the Republicans. You just have to look at the maps," the illustrious Trump had said.

Aruna Miller had never approved of Trump's style of mannerism and anti-migrants comments and had emphasized that a leader contesting the prized post of US President’s office should conduct himself  “responsibly”.

To a question from this writer, Ms Miller had remarked: "Donald Trump is a polarizing individual. The statements he has been making (in run up to 2016 polls) have only damaged America".

Ms Miller had strongly defended Democrat's decision to field Hillary Clinton in 2016 and had said:“The selection of Hillary Clinton as the presidential candidate is reflective of the our Democratic party's policy and the overall commitment of the United States. We always wanted an inclusive society. But for Trump, I must say, if you are contesting for such a high post, you must show responsibility. You cannot keep making such sweeping statements".

Aruna Miller ran for Congress in 2018 to represent Maryland's 6th congressional district.

In April 2018, Miller won a straw poll of Democratic activists in Western Maryland.

Trump-Modi similarities

Well, as much as they change as much they remain constant. Trump is certainly amid headlines this time round too and is more often accused of being a polarising figure.

In fact, both Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi share some similarities. Trump has a strong anti-migrant image and seen as a pro-industrialist and as someone who has taken a strong stand against Islamic radicalism.

These elements are true of Modi too. Thus, the two global leaders, who have almost the same vices and virtues, would be sharing stage on Monday at Ahmedabad -- months after their historic first at Houston in September 2019.

"Look so forward to being with my great friends in India, " President Trump tweeted on Saturday, just on the eve of his visit.

In Ahmedabad, PM Modi's original 'political laboratory'; Trump will address the “Namaste Trump” event jointly with Modi at the newly built Motera Cricket Stadium that has a capacity siting of 1.2 lakh people.

There is a serious political component certainly. The size of the Indian diaspora in the US is estimated at around four million and Trump will be eyeing Indian votes.
More than 10,000 police personnel have been deployed as part of  massive security arrangement for Trump's mega road-show.

A similar roadshow was organised in Ahmedabad with much pomp and gaiety for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on September 14, 2017.

In July 2019, Modi hosted his Israeli counterpart and another right wing leader Benjamin Netanyahu in Ahmedabad and both the leaders had embarked on a eight-km long roadshow from the airport to Sabarmati Ashram dedicated to the peace apostle Mahatma Gandhi.

"While US Embassy had no objection to the presence of CM and Deputy CM, we appreciate their recognition that this isn't a political event and that it's best to ensure focus is on education, school, and students," a spokesperson in the US embassy said following a media query on the issue.


"Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and I would have loved to personally receive the First Lady in the Delhi Govt school and brief her about the concept of Happiness Classes and the positive impact that it has had on students, during her visit to the classrooms," he said in an official statement.



Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Ahmedabad on Sunday ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit to the city. 
Shah is also the president of Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) that owns the newly-built cricket stadium at Motera, where Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi would address over one lakh people in the 'Namaste Trump' programme.

Both Trump and Modi would first take part in a 22-km long roadshow on Monday.

They are also scheduled to visit the Sabarmati Ashram.


Motera stadium is the world's largest cricket stadium with a capacity to accommodate 1.10 lakh spectators.

Congress Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted: “Continuing since 1974, US removed India from Duty Free Imports i.e GSP on June 5, 2019. It has affected the $5.6 billion Indian exports to the US, especially gems, jewellery, rice, leather.”

He added, “Post ‘Howdy Modi’ & ‘Namaste Trump’ gala events, Will PM ensure restoration of GSP status?”