In the clearest hint yet that Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson Najma Heptullah may be all set to enter the Bharatiya Janata Party, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Saturday said she alone can decide her future course of action.

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Vajpayee said this after Heptullah, a veteran Congress leader, heaped praises on him on the sidelines of a book release function.

Heptullah, however, remained non-committal. "Praising prime minister's good work does not mean I am going to join the BJP," she said.

She said Vajpayee is making efforts to 'unite hearts' both within the country and outside. "You are doing what was not done so far. Your effort has created a good atmosphere and kindled hopes," she said addressing Vajpayee.

The book release was organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Research, which Najma heads.

Taking pot-shots at the Congress, she said the party just cannot digest any good work done by a rival organisation.

Referring to the prime minister's ambitious Golden Quadrilateral project, Heptullah said these roads will not just join villages and cities, "these roads will join hearts."