Najma146;s future in ICCR uncertain

A day after retired deputy chairperson Najma Heptulla formally resigned from the Congress, and accepted a nomination from the BJP to re-ente...

A day after retired deputy chairperson Najma Heptulla formally resigned from the Congress, and accepted a nomination from the BJP to re-enter the Rajya Sabha, there is pitched speculation on her future as chairperson of Indian Council for Cultural Relations ICCR.

Heptulla, who was appointed the head of ICCR by former PM A.B. Vajpayee last year, has another year to go before she retires in August 2005. Her appointment had created a stir in Congress circles too, as it was seen as a move designed to bring Heptulla closer to the BJP.

Her takeover of the ICCR itself was a departure from convention as the Council head is traditionally under the charge of the Vice-President. However, after the death of Vice-President Krishna Kant in office, Vajpayee appointed Heptulla, keeping in mind 8216;8216;her international profile as honourary head of the International Parliamentary Union8217;8217;.

Ironically, the ICCR was founded by Heptulla8217;s grandfather, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, as an instrument of cultural diplomacy.

The ICCR is not a fully autonomous body, and by its very nature, comes under the Ministry of External Affairs rather than the Culture Ministry.

nbsp;	She showed her true colours: Congress

		nbsp;	8226; NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday broke its silence on the Najma Heptulla issue, saying if 8220;there is a reward for political opportunism, it should go to her8217;8217;. Party spokesman Anand Sharma said her 8216;8216;relationship with Congress ended the day she accepted an award from the RSS chief and appealed to voters to vote for the BJP8217;8217;. 8212;ENS	nbsp;

The chairperson is appointed under the ICCR constitution and stays as long as he or she enjoys the pleasure of the President. In other words, the post is bound by the ICCR constitution and not on the whims of the government in power.

However, it would be tempting for the UPA government to accommodate leaders without a job in the government. High on the list are former ICCR vice-president Karan Singh, defeated Congress MP Margaret Alva, Rajasthan leader Ram Niwas Mirdha and former minister Salman Khursheed.