two Indian origin businessmen are in the London mural polls race. In fact, 63 year old Tarun Gulati is among the 12 candidates who are in the fray, and he interestingly launched his campaign in Hyderabad during his visit to India. His campaign tagline is Trust and Growth. He was an investment banker and he is contesting as an independent candidate. And he was born in Delhi and he spent over 20 years in London is joining us live on TV at this hour. Mr. Gulati, thanks very much for joining us on for having me and very interesting that you have Rishi soak at the helm as a prime minister. And you have two Indian origin businessmen in the fray for the London mayoral polls. The Indian diaspora is certainly going from strength to strength. When it comes to, you know, cities like London countries like the UK. Most certainly I think Indians, uh uh I started my journey in India, and my family heritage has been involved in public service over three centuries in 19th, 20th and 21st, and, uh, I certainly believe Indians are hard working and we add value. So, uh, I've obviously lived in various continents and risen to the top in the financial services world. And I believe I'll run London as a CEO should. And the current incumbent has brought London to a standstill, and the conservative candidate is considered fairly uninspiring by most. So I think I'll be the frontrunner and I'll win this election come may the second absolutely. And just looking at your journey as well, from an investment banker to, uh, to sort of your mayoral campaign bid. Um, how difficult or easy was it? And how has the gaze on Indians Or, you know, people from the Indian diaspora changed, particularly in the past couple of years? I think, as I was hinting earlier, particularly for me, I don't know about any other candidate. I don't see any other camera. I'm I'm like racehorse focused without any blinkers. My sights are on Mr Sadiq Khan, nobody else. I don't think any other candidate can tip him except myself. So coming to the Indian, uh, aspect, uh, you need somebody who has the gravitas and somebody who's got the experience. Don't forget, this is over a 21 billion sterling budget, so you need somebody who understands those digits as run businesses of that stature. So Indians are particularly if you notice anywhere in the world with the Silicon Valley where we are. We are running top Corporates. I've been a deputy chairman of a bank, sat on over 48 boards. You need to have the credentials to be able to lead a country, a city where at least the diaspora of over 270 nations live. This is like a global bank where cultures converge. So you need somebody to understand the cultural advances. And I think I'm the best man to do that job. And as you said, you know you have Indians as top CEOs, executives at world organisations leading the way. So do you think this also, in a sense, increases our diplomacy? Bid increases India's potential as a soft power as well, globally having so many Indian origin people at top positions politically and in the business world. Most certainly if you look currently, uh, at the Indian Prime Minister Shoji. I mean, he's put out on, uh on the helm of most top tables and India is punching its weight. Uh, look at the External Affairs Minister, Dr J Shankar again, we are on the top table and we are sort of punching a it. Uh So I think this sort of a thing when I am the next mayor of London will pave the way for India's. Before I let you go, Mr Gulati, Just looking at the environment that London and that the UK, in fact, finds itself in There is a cost of living crisis. Inflation is at its peak. And perhaps Rushi soak is eyeing another term as a prime minister. But you know, the right seems to be dwindling there in the UK. So how do you look at that? I think the world is going to an inflexion point as we speak. There's a war on going in the Middle East. There are strikes again, as you know, in Europe. And indeed there are national elections to be held in the UK. So, Mr Soak, indeed, we would like him to be re elected. But the other party, the Labour Party, is surely got a lead as we speak in the polls. And I'm pretty certain Mr Soak is going to try his best. So I certainly believe if I can win the mayor's election, which I will on may the second. That will help the conservatives to in the bid to come into power. Because I will pave the way. Although I'm an independent candidate. But I think it does help being an Indian. OK, Mr. Thank you very much for joining us on ND TV and best of luck for your campaign as thank you. Very grateful for TV to have me here today. Thank you. Thank you.
