Najma Heptullah is NDA's Vice Prez candidate

New Delhi, July 22: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) today named former Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptullah as its candidate for the August 10 Vice Presidential polls.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of NDA leaders at the residence of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee this evening.

Making the announcement, senior BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Vijay Kumar Malhotra said Dr Heptullah would file her nomination papers tomorrow.

The meeting was attended by NDA Convenor George Fernandes, Janata Dal (U) leader Sharad Yadav, BJP President Rajnath Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal's S S Dhindsa and Mr B J Panda of the Biju Janata Dal.

Two NDA parties, the Shiv Sena and the Trinamool Congress, the former supported UPA-Left Presidential candidate Pratibha Patil while the latter abstained from voting in the Presidential polls, were conspicuous by their absence from the meeting. Ms Swaraj said Dr Heptullah was a ''non-political'' personality and the entire Rajya Sabha had been impressed by the way she conducted the House proceedings when she was the Deputy Chairperson.

Asked why the NDA was fielding a candidate when it did not have the requisite numbers in its favour, Ms Swaraj conceded that the arithmetical calculation was in UPA's favour. She, however, said the NDA would have considered supporting the UPA's candidate if the ruling coalition had consulted the opposition and sought a consensus on the issue.

''This not being the case, the Opposition can not afford to leave the field open for the UPA to have a free run,'' she added.

When told that the UPA, the UNPA and the NDA had all fielded candidates belonging to the Muslim community, Ms Swaraj said, ''the NDA is fielding Dr Heptullah not because of her gender or religion but due to her capablity.'' Asked about the absence of the Shiv Sena and the Trinamool Congress at the meeting, she said the NDA was in touch with these parties and was hopeful of eliciting their support.

Dr Heptullah, who was earlier with the Congress, joined the BJP after her relations with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi soured.

UNI