Najma HeptullahDeputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha Najma Heptullah spoke to Editor Prabhu Chawla on Seedhi Baat on her position in the Congress and the women's quota.Q. You have never contested in any election. A.Isn't the Rajya Sabha election enough?Q. You are described as a drawing-room politician. A.If I had not been active among the public, I could not have remained in politics for so long a period.Q. Congressmen say you are more active at social parties. A.You are trying to defame my party colleagues.Q. It is said that you enjoy special status within the Congress because of your relations with the party chief - with Indira Gandhi earlier and now Sonia Gandhi. A.I was with Indira even during the days of struggle.Q. What kind of political struggle? A.Politics is not a battleground where you have to prove yourself with your fighting skills.Q. You grandfather Maulana Azad was a freedom fighter who went to jail many times. A. Those were different times. We are not fighting against the British.Q. It is said the Congress projects you prominently because of your elite background? A. If being educated means elitist, then so be it. I have never exploited my relationship with Maulana Saab. In fact, he had asked me not to use his name.Q. What has been your role in getting the women's reservation bill passed? A.It was at our initiative on March 8, 1998 that the resolution was passed unanimously. In fact, I told Sushma Swaraj to table it in the Rajya Sabha first so that it gets passed.Q. Will you try to become the president of India? A.It all depends on destiny. I want to do something substantial so that I am remembered.Published By: AtMigration Published On: Jul 14, 2003 00:00 IST--- ENDS ---
