Question

The runner-up in the recent Vice-Presidential election was

• A. Mr. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat
• B. Dr. Najma Heptullah
• C. Mr. Praful Patel
• D. Mr. Hameed Ansari

Hint:

Recall who contested against Hamid Ansari in the 2007 Vice-Presidential race and lost.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The question tests recall of the 2007 Vice-Presidential election result, specifically who lost the contest to the eventual winner.

1. Mr. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat: He was India's sitting Vice-President before this election but did not contest it again, so he cannot be the runner-up here.
2. Dr. Najma Heptullah: She stood as the NDA's candidate against Hamid Ansari and lost the contest, which makes her the runner-up.
3. Mr. Praful Patel: A Union Cabinet minister at the time, he was never a candidate in this election.
4. Mr. Hameed Ansari: He is the person who won the election, not the runner-up.

Since Hamid Ansari won and Najma Heptulla was the losing candidate, she is correctly called the runner-up, confirming option (B).

Let's summarize:

• Hamid Ansari won the 2007 Vice-Presidential election.
• Najma Heptulla, the NDA nominee, finished second and is the runner-up.

So the answer is Dr. Najma Heptullah.