Opposition picks Gopal Krishna Gandhi as its vice presidential nominee

The opposition has picked former IAS officer and former Governor of West Bengal Gopal Krishna Gandhi as its candidate for the post of vice president.

Gopal Gandhi served as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from 1968-1992.

Gandhi was also the Secretary to the then Vice President Ramaswamy Venkataraman from 1985 to 1987, Joint Secretary to President Venkataraman from 1987 to 1992 and Secretary to President in 1997.

He served as the High Commissioner to South Africa in 1996, High Commissioner for India in Sri Lanka in 2000 and as Ambassador of India in Norway in 2002.

He was the Governor of West Bengal from 2004 to 2009.

The opposition parties earlier today met in the national capital to evolve a strategy for the upcoming Vice Presidential election.

The meeting was convened by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Apart from Congress, other parties including, RJD, TMC, Left, DMK, NCP, SP and BSP also took part in the meeting.

The process of filing of nominations for the vice presidential poll started on 4th of this month and will end on July 18. The government and the opposition have so far not taken any names of possible candidates for the Vice President post.

The term of present incumbent Hamid Ansari, who has held the post for two successive spells, comes to an end on August 10. The electoral college, which votes for the vice president, consists of elected and nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

Secretary General of Rajya Sabha, Shumsher K. Sheriff is the returning officer for the elections.

The polling will take place on August 5 and counting will be held on the same day.