Kathmandu, Jan 22: The competition for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination in the United States has boiled down to a direct showdown between Nikki Haley of Indian origin and former President Donald Trump.

The field of contenders for the Republican nomination has dwindled, leaving only two prominent figures—Donald Trump and Nikki Haley.

Expressing anticipation for the upcoming competition, Nikki Haley conveyed in an email to her supporters, “There were 14 people in the race for the Republican Party nomination. But today, it is officially a race between two people.”

This battle between Haley and Trump is expected to unfold across various U.S. states. However, it may not be as straightforward as Haley envisions, considering that the 14 initial candidates gradually withdrew from the race, throwing their support behind Donald Trump.

After Trump’s victory in Iowa, Ron DeSantis secured second place, and Nikki Haley came in third. New Hampshire is the next state to vote.

DeSantis, the Governor of Florida, withdrew from the race and announced his support for Trump after Iowa’s results. He criticized Nikki Haley, labeling her as a representative of the old Republican Party and corporate interests.

A CNN and University of New Hampshire poll indicated that 62 percent of DeSantis supporters considered Trump their second choice, while only 30 percent favored Nikki Haley.

Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, has been investing efforts in winning New Hampshire, hoping to gain momentum against Trump.

Her strategy relies on winning support from liberal voters in New Hampshire who may oppose Trump. However, if she fails to secure victory in New Hampshire, her path forward becomes uncertain.

Nikki Haley’s campaign is seen as aligning more with the pre-Trump era of the Republican Party, a factor that could affect her popularity, especially in her home state of South Carolina, where Trump remains highly favored.

South Carolina, Trump’s stronghold, boasts the support of over half of Republican Party officials. The success of Nikki Haley’s campaign is being closely observed as it tests the theory that unified opposition to Trump within the Republican Party could lead to victory. The outcome of the New Hampshire vote on Tuesday will be crucial in determining the dynamics of the Republican presidential race.