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Najma, Ansari file papers New Delhi, July 23 UNPA candidate Rashid Masood, a former union minister, had filed his nomination papers last week. Interestingly, the candidates of all three alliances belong to
the main minority community. Ansari was accompanied by top UPA leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, union ministers, besides Left leaders when he filed his nomination
papers. Talking to reporters later, Ansari said it was a great occasion. Asked how he would run the Rajya Sabha as its chairman without any parliamentary experience, he said an organisation was run on the basis of rules and regulations and the Rajya Sabha had excellent rules and regulations. Ansari began his campaign in earnest after filing papers by calling up leaders of the National Conference, the Trinamool Congress and the JD(S). Sources said he also met RLD leader Ajit Singh. Ansari would tomorrow talk to leaders of parties forming the UPA. The ruling alliance, with its supporters, has a strength of 428 in the electoral college. Heptullah, who also filed her nomination today on the last day of filing papers, was accompanied by top BJP leaders Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani, Rajnath Singh and NDA convener George Fernandes. Leaders from the Shiromani Akali Dal, the JD(U) and the BJD were also present. However, the Shiv Sena and the Trinamool Congress were conspicuous by their absence. Both these parties did not turn up for the NDA meeting yesterday where Heptullah’s name was cleared. While the Shiv Sena had voted for UPA candidate Pratibha Patil in the presidential election, the Trinamool Congress had abstained. Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj told reporters in reply to a question that they would seek support of the Shiv Sena as well as the Trinamool Congress. She said there was a difference between the presidential and vice-presidential election as the UNPA had fielded its candidate. She said the party would also seek second preferential votes. BJP president Rajnath Singh said Heptullah was contesting with full confidence. With numbers loaded in favour of the UPA-Left candidate, Heptullah, who has been a Rajya Sabha member since 1980, said she would seek support from members of the electoral college. Heptullah said she had the qualifications and felt confident to handle the job.
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Natwar to vote for Ansari New Delhi, July 23
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