Washington: Ahead of the 2015-2016 election cycle, the Republican Party has included two Indian-Americans state legislators on a project to recruit, train, and elect Republican candidates from diverse communities on the state level.

Niraj Antani and Janak Joshi, State Representatives in Ohio and Colorado Houses respectively, are part of the leadership team of Republican State Leadership Committee's (RSLC) Future Majority Project (FMP).

Headed by former Oklahoma Speaker of the House and Republican National Committee member T.W. Shannon the project seeks to get elected Republican candidates "who better represent the full diversity of America."

In 2013-2014, FMP recruited hundreds of new candidates and elected 43 new leaders to office. This cycle, FMP aims to recruit 250 new, diverse candidates and see 50 of those candidates appointed or elected to office, the party said.

"As someone who has served in the trenches of state government, I understand the importance of recruiting the right candidates with the right message in every district and state across the country," said Shannon.

The 2015-2016 Future Majority Project also plans to spend at least $7 million on women and diverse candidates (women through RSLC's Right Women, Right Now initiative) and expanding role and number of FMP "Diversity in Business" roundtables in target states. (IANS)