Stage set for triangular contest for V-P

The stage is set for a triangular contest for the vice-presidential poll with UPA-Left candidate Mohammad Hamid Ansari being way ahead of his rivals as numbers are heavily loaded in favour of him.

Ansari filed his papers on the last day of filing nominations today, so also Najma Heptulla, NDA's nominee for the second highest office.

They will clash on August 10 with Third Front aspirant Rashid Masood, a former Union minister, in an all-Muslim race.

Buoyed by the resounding victory in the presidential poll, top brass of the ruling alliance including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and a host of Union ministers besides Left leaders, were at hand when Ansari filed his papers.

The electoral college for the poll comprises members of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The UPA, along with the Left parties as also the BSP, commands the support of 425 of the total 788 members.

The NDA has the backing of 240 members, while the stand of two of its allies "" Shiv Sena and Trinamool Congress "" is still not known.