Bobby Jindal plans to run for US presidency in 2016: Senator

FILE - In this July 14, 2012, file photo Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal addresses the Nebraska Republican Convention in Grand Island. The young governor routinely receives widespread praise in GOP circles, and is being cast as a knowledgeable policy man with strong conservative credentials who appeals to the Christian right and can brandish a long list of accomplishments in Louisiana, such as leading the state through a series of disasters, including the Gulf Coast oil spill. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)

Indian-American Louisiana Governor and the rising star of the Republican Party Bobby Jindal is planning to run for the 2016 U.S. presidential elections, a top Senator from his state has said.

“I do think, he (Jindal) will run...He would be a significant candidate,” Senator David Vitter told American TV channel C-SPAN’s Newsmakers programme.

“I like Bobby, I respect his leadership, I agree with all of his political values. But I haven’t thought about what I would do or wouldn’t do personally,” Mr Vitter, also a member of Republican party, said.

“Oh yeah. I think that’s very obvious to everybody who has been paying attention,” the Senator said when asked if he believes Mr Jindal, 42, would to be the next president.

Mr Jindal’s second term as the Lousiana Governor ends in 2015. He can’t run for the third term. Mr Vitter is considering running for governor.

Mr Jindal had earlier did not rule himself out from entering the presidential race in 2016, but said, “I think it’s too early.”

“I would expect we will come to a conclusion sometime in January,” Mr Vitter said.