"The UN has been able to maintain impartiality. I hope the next time you ask a question about the UN you will be more positive about it and its role," Tharoor said. He has been nomiated as the Indian candidate for the post of the secretary general to United Nations.

Tharoor held consultations with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] and other senior political leaders, before beginning his campaign to muster support for his candidature.

"If a candidate felt that he would not win, he would not enter the contest. No candidate says that he is going to lose the battle. But the answer to your question will be given by the General Assembly of the United Nations when 191 countries vote for the successor of Kofi Annan," he said good-humouredly, when this correspondent asked him about his chances to win.

Tharoor said that it would not be fair to judge the response of the member countries in favour of one candidate or the other. "I will begin my campaign next week. I will also visit China and leave to the Chinese government to decide about their vote. Maybe, in the following days, more candidates will emerge. It is good to have a wider choice," he said, in response to a question if the Chinese were in favour of the Thai candidate.

He admitted that while he had distinct advantage over his rivals, having worked 28 years in the United Nations, it also worked against him because while other candidates have the time to concentrate on their campaign, he will have to balance his duties as under secretary general.

"The days ahead are going to be demanding. It could be longer then couple of months; after all Kofi Annan was elected on December 13," Tharoor said.

Complete coverage: Shashi Tharoor - The great Indian hope