The Bharatiya Janata Party leadership expressed its ignorance about the story that appeared in The Indian Express on Monday stating Najma Heptullah, former deputy speaker of Rajya Sabha, is likely to be put up as the party's choice for the post of Vice President, particularly after the Third Front announced its intention to field their own candidate.

"The story seems to have been planted and aimed at hitting out at the interests of Najmaji," said a senior party leader from Rajya Sabha, who is known for his lung power.

He is not the only one to have denied the story. Another senior leader of the party from Uttar Pradesh said that a decision about who to field for the post of Vice President would be known only on July 19 after the presidential polls are over.

"Till then we are concentrating on Shekhawatji's campaign for presidentship," he said.

Another leader of the party pretended that he had not seen the story and hence, was not in a position to comment.

"But it is unlikely to be true. Please check up with the senior leadership of the party," he said.

Najma Heptullah could not be reached on phone. Experts feel with the likely election of Pratibha Patil to the post of President of India, there is no chance for another woman at the helm of affairs of the country.

Meanwhile, Communist Party of India-Marxist general secretary Prakash Karat has begun holding consultations with alliance partners to find a suitable non-political candidate for the post of Vice President. The United Progressive Alliance has given this post to CPI-M in order to pacify them.