Gopal Krishna Gandhi begins his campaign at Parliament house

Opposition Vice President candidate Gopal Krishna Gandhi started his campaign in Parliament house on Wednesday. He first came to TMC Parliamentary office and met MPs there. TMC Lok Sabha leader Sudip Bndopadhaya formally welcomed him in the office by presenting a scarf (uttariya) specially sent by the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee from Kolkata. Gandhi, thanking the MPs for their support, gave a speech on Indian democracy and the Republic. While addressing the Members of Parliament, Gandhi said that as he came to to the TMC office, he felt like coming to Kolkata. He said that he cherished the memory of staying in Kolkata as a Governor of the state.

He recalled the day when he demitted office of Governor, Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee told him that he had to play a bigger national role in future. Now that he has been chosen as VP candidate, he still remembers those words of the Banerjee.

Gandhi said Kolkata always remains in his heart. He said that Kolkata was the place where Mahatma Gandhi decided to stay in 1947 when the country was getting its freedom from the British.

In his speech, Gandhi also mentioned about the days of land acquisition movement for Singur and Nandigram Industrial projects. He told the gathering that during that time many people thought that as a Governor perhaps he was watching the movement in a particular angular way. But later everyone realised that what he thought at that time has come to be realised by all of them. Now, the country is having a land law which he was visualising.

Rajya Sabha TMC Leader Derek O'Brien told that initially in all opposition party meetings convened by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, TMC first proposed the name of Gopal Krishna Gandhi. At that point of time, 18 opposition parties were supporting Gandhi's candidature. It has now gone up to 20 as Biju Janata Dal and AAP have also decided to support Gandhi.

Gandhi on Tuesday had a breakfast meeting with BJD Parliamentary party. On Wednesday, he met Congress Parliamentary party and left parties' members of the Parliament.

He has sent an e-mail to all opposition party MP personally and also sent a post card appealing for support to him as VP candidate. According to Parliamentary strength, ruling NDA nominee Venkaiah Naidu's win is certain. Yet Gandhi choose to contest this election to make it an ideological battle of two ideas—what he beleived is good for the country.