I am fighting for empowermwnt of women, says Heptulla

NEW DELHI: NDA's Vice Presidential candidate Najma Heptulla on Thursday said she was not bothered about win or loss in the August 10 election, but her contest was for the empowerment of women.

"I am not fighting a lost battle. I am contesting an election. In election there can be a win or loss. There is nothing a draw. I am prepared for anything," 67-year-old Heptulla told on the sidelines of a seminar on "Role and Function of Second Chamber" organised by the Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies here.

"I am contesting for the empowerment of women," she said.

Heptulla said she had "very good" relation with the other two candidates for the Vice President post -- Rashid Mashood of UNPA and Hamid Ansari of Congress and the Left parties.

"I have nothing against both of them. They are very good friends of mine. But I will ask for votes on the basis of my competence," she said.

Heptulla said her selection as the candidate for the high office was not on the basis of any gender or religious considerations.

"I can tell that NDA selected me on the basis of my competence and experience," Heptulla, who has served as the deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha for 17 years, said.
   
She said NDA could not have afford to not fielding a candidate for Vice President since there was no consensus on the selection of candidate for the post among all the parties.