I opposed the imposition of the National Security Act on him. I also said that if he did say what has been attributed to him, that is totally regrettable. But everybody's presumed to be innocent till proved guilty.

Varun Gandhi has given a detailed account about the tape. Part of that allegation is admitted to be false. He made no references to the Sikhs, which was first attributed to him. Why should that not put some suspicion on the other parts? That's all I'm saying.

Post 26/11, at the Gateway, there was a massive turnout of young people protesting terrorism. How do you plan to harness this energy, this desire for change?

It's very easy. You just have to hold on to a memory.

I've told everybody my candidacy is for my daughter's friends, whom she knows since the age of three. Their names are Arundhati and Anandita. My fighting this election is dedicated to them. They are 13 and 10 and their parents, Sunil and Reshma Parekh, were the one of first people to die at the Oberoi.

I remember on the night of the 27th dropping my daughter off at their place because they were at home and were worried about their parents. I remember the younger one, Arundhati, holding my hand and taking me to the door; everyone was completely full of hope that their parents would return.

She knew I was a lawyer and I was connected with the police, so she said Tony Uncle, I know that you spoke to my Mamma this morning. Didn't you speak to my Mamma this morning?

And I... I really didn't know what to tell her. Every time that I look at those two kids -- Sunil and Reshma were such wonderful parents -- so this election really is for them (breaks down in tears).

Sorry... If you are a parent, you realise how cruelly things can be snatched away from you in an instant. After that, I said that I if I don't stand, then I'm really not worthy of all the education and the passion that I think I have. And that's really what drove me.

The BJP made it clear it was a tough seat, they asked me if I wanted to back out. But I said no... I'm going to take this and I'm going to win. Mark my words -- I'll win, because of the sheer determination to do it for these two kids. They are my inspiration, they and all the other terror victims. That is what drives me.

I don't say this in public too often, because I get emotional about it, but that's my inspiration. I have to get this victory for these two kids.

Image: An employee cleans the road in front of the Trident-Oberoi hotel in Mumbai, which was attacked by the terrorists. Photograph: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters

Also see: 26/11 attacks | India Votes 2009

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