There’s a chasm between politics and citizens of the country: Gopalkrishna Gandhi

New Delhi: Joint Opposition candidate for the Vice-Presidential election Gopalkrishna Gandhi today said he wanted to reduce the gap that exists between the politics of the country and its citizens. Responding to allegations by Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut that he opposed death penalty for Mumbai blasts accused Yaqub Memon, Mr Gandhi, who filed his nomination for the post here, said,”I believe death penalty belongs to the medieval ages. Its wrong. My views are inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and Dr (BR)Ambedkar.” At the same time, he asserted that these were his personal views. ”I am an ordinary citizen and I am not associated with any party. My views are my own,” he said. Mr Gandhi said as Vice-President, he wanted to reduce the gap between the politics of the country and its citizens. ”There’s a chasm between politics and citizens of the country. I want to reduce that gap,” he said. Expressing concern over increasing attempts to create divisions within the society, Mr Gandhi said,”We are living in times of division. This spells danger for our future, not only for politics but for the nation.” He said as a candidate for the Vice-Presidential elections, he was trying to present before the electors the aspirations of the people. ”I am not here to oppose any person or party. I am here with all humility to place before electors the aspirations of citizens of the country,” he said. Mr Gandhi filed the nomination in the office of the Rajya Sabha Secretary General in the presence of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, party Vice-president Rahul Gandhi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, AITC leader Derek O’Brien, JD-U leader Sharad Yadav and others. Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson is pitted against NDA candidate and former Union Minister of the Narendra Modi-led Government, M Venkaiah Naidu, in the contest for the Vice-President’s post. Mr Naidu also filed his nomination today, the last day for filing papers. (UNI)