Najma seeks vote to uphold democratic ideals

New Delhi, July 30: NDA's Vice Presidential candidate Najma Heptullah today appealed to the electoral college to vote for her in the August 10 election to ''uphold democratic ideals''.

The former Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, who sent personal letters to the MPs belonging to both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, said ''Now the time has come when we must rededicate ourselves to the continuing task of strengthening the nation, through the principles of Parliamentary democracy, and a cohesive society based on the principles of unity, equality, freedom, justice and cooperation.'' In the two-page letter, she recalled her vast experience as the deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha for four terms, saying, that in itself was proof of the confidence reposed ''in my democratic principles and values by all sections of the political spectrum.'' Dr Heptulla who was the first woman to be elected President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, said this was not an honour to her alone but was an expression of the reconginition of India's parliamentary and democratic values and its rich cultural heritage.

Besides, she also had the honour of representing the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, an international organisations. The 15-year association with these international fora provided her the opportunity to take some of the issues of &34;criticial importance&34; to India in an effective way, she said.

One of the issues was terrorism, she said, adding she was one who had witnessed the December 13, 2001 terrorist attack on the world's largest democracy, Indian Parliament, from a distance of just 30 yards.

This prompted her to take up the issue of terrorism bilaterally with various countries and also at various international fora with greater resolve and commitment, she said.

She also informed that she had always been concerned with issues relating to the rights of the child, women, environment and challenge of globalisation and raised them at appropriate fora.

Dr Heptullah, who also enclosed her bio-data, along with the appeal to each voter, said as Deputy Chairman, she strived to see that every voice, irrespective of party affiliation, was heard and all members got an opportunity to speak and make their valuable contributions.

UNI