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Alva and Heptulla front-runners as race for the vice-presidency hots up
George Iype in New Delhi
With the United Front and Congress having successfully clinched
an agreement to elevate K R Narayanan to the Presidency, there is now a
flurry of activity among women and minority
leaders to follow him into the vice-president's chair.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptulla and Congress MP Margaret Alva are two early women contenders who
have put their hats into the ring.
Other minority leaders who are pitching for the post include
Lok Sabha Speaker Purno A Sangma, Maharashtra Governor P C Alexander
and Akali Dal leader Surjeet Singh Barnala.
Both Heptulla and Alva argue they have the right credentials:
They hail from minority communities and they have advocated
the reservation of women in Parliament and their empowerment in
politics. "It would be a great landmark in Independent India's history
if all political parties agree to have a woman vice-president,"
Alva told Rediff On The NeT.
The Constitution, she said, clearly states that there should
be no gender discrimination while appointing the President
or vice-president. "Therefore, the elevation of a woman to
the vice-presidential chair could be the first serious commitment
that political parties can show towards women's empowerment and
emancipation in the country," added Alva.
Asked if she is in the race for the post, Alva said, "My
credentials are impeccable as a woman political leader. If political
parties want a woman leader with merit, credibility and ability,
I fit into the slot."
Though no political party has come out in support
of any candidate, the Bharatiya Janata Party and a section of
Congress leaders led by Sharad Pawar have inclined towards
Heptulla's candidature.
But Heptulla's proximity to the Maharashtra leader is likely
to pose hurdles in her path as party president Sitaram Kesri --
who sees Pawar as his arch rival -- could spurn her candidature
and throw his weight behind Alva.
While Alva enjoys the backing of former prime minister H D Deve
Gowda and a number of Congress MPs from south India, the
Janata Dal leadership is trying to get Heptulla elected.
Embattled JD president Laloo Prasad Yadav stated recently that
Heptulla should be unanimously elected
as she is a Muslim.
In the race between Alva and Heptulla, the latter has an
edge as she hails from North India. Alva's Karnataka roots will
not go down well with most political parties as they would reject the
idea of having both the President and vice-president from South India.
Since Narayanan's name for the President's post was first suggested
by the United Front leadership, the option to choose the vice-president
rests with the Congress. Kesri, fresh from his spectacular
victory in the party presidential election, will ensure that
one of his ardent followers gets the post.
Kesri has excellent relations with Sangma,
a tribal Christian from north-eastern India. The Scheduled
Caste and Scheduled Tribe MPs Forum has also recommended his elevation
to the post.
There have also been suggestions from various Congress leaders
that Alexander, a Christian, should
be chosen for the post. But since both Narayanan and Alexander
hail from Kerala, the latter stands little chance of getting much
support.
Another contender for the post is Barnala. With the expected backing of the BJP and regional parties
like the Asom Gana Parishad, the DMK and TDP, the former Punjab chief minister has a fairly good chance
of victory.
The vice-presidential election will be held in August and the notification
for it will be made in the first week of July.
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