Vice-Presidential Election 2017: Gopalkrishna Gandhi seeks AIADMK support

New Delhi: Opposition vice-presidential candidate Gopalkrishna Gandhi has written to both factions of the AIADMK seeking their support for him.Gandhi, whose candidature has been backed by 18 opposition parties including the DMK, has written to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister EK Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam, the leader of the rival faction of the ruling AIADMK."In a letter that I have written to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, I have requested the support of the Members of Parliament from the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam to my candidature for the office of the Vice President of India."In a similar letter that I have written to the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, O Panneerselvam, I have made a similar request, recalling the privilege that I had, as an IAS officer of the Tamil Nadu cadre, of serving under the late Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MGR and his kindnesses to me," Gandhi said in a statement.Gandhi said he has also met DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi and thanked him for joining the parties in proposing his name.

He also said Anbumani Ramadoss of PMK has assured him of his party's support.Gandhi said he is seeking support not as somebody "belonging to any political party", but as someone who believes in the vision that Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Babasaheb Ambedkar collectively personified."And which in our state of Tamil Nadu, Mudaringnar Rajaji, Thanthai Periyar, Perunthalaivar Kamaraj and Perarignar Anna, each in his unique own way, symbolised," he said.The Mahatma's grandson said he will be contacting leaders of other political formations, across the country."India stands at a crossroads today when the basic tenets of the Constitution of India guaranteeing freedom of faith, of thought and expression, and that of equality before the law, are under strain."The opportunity provided by the up-coming election is a chance, a fragile and fortuitous one, to take a stand on behalf of India's greatness in freedom, responsibility and justice," he stated.