Prez polls: NCP says party stand will be consistent with UPA

May 18, 2012

New Delhi, May 18: A day after the AIADMK and BJD announced support for party leader P A Sangma's candidature, NCP chief Sharad Pawar today said his party's stand on the Presidential election will be consistent with that of the UPA.

Sangma, who met Pawar this morning, said the NCP leader told him that the party is part of UPA and his stand on the issue will be consistent with it.

At the same time, Pawar, who is also the Union Agriculture Minister, said they would discuss all suggestions given by Sangma.

On his part, Sangma explained to him that he was part of a forum which was pushing for a tribal leader to become the next President.

The former Lok Sabha Speaker said he along with a few other leaders was meeting leaders of various political parties to push for a tribal to become the next president.

Besides him, there were several other tribal leaders including Karia Munda (BJP), who is Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker, Union Minister Krishna Chandra Deo (Congress), former Nagaland Chief Minister S C Jamir (Congress) and former union minister Arvind Neta.

"Any tribal leader can become the next president that is what we are trying to achieve, he said.

Asked if he was pulled up by Pawar on the issue as reported in a section of the media, Sangma said, "Nothing of that sort happened".

The NCP had yesterday virtually disowned attempts by Sangma to enter the Presidential race

"I am not aware of any such development. Sangma has not spoken to us. We have had no discussions. We feel that with such a limited strength, we cannot aspire for such a major post," Pawar had said.

Odisha Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik had yesterday backed Sangma for the post of President of India.

AIADMK supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had said her party will support Sangma for President's post.

Pawar's party is a key ally of the Congress-led UPA at the Centre since May 2004 and the two parties are also sharing power in Maharashtra since 2009. He had sometime back met Congress President Sonia Gandhi who has been holding consultations with UPA constituents and allies over the Presidential election.

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Indian Air Force’s Tejas fighter jet crashes during Dubai air show

News Network

November 21,2025

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed on Friday, November 21, afternoon during its aerial demonstration at the Dubai Air Show, plunging to the ground at around 2:10 pm local time while performing a manoeuvre before thousands of spectators.

The IAF confirmed the incident, stating that a Tejas aircraft participating in the show had crashed and that further details were being gathered. An Air Force spokesperson said more information would be shared after initial assessments.

The crash sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky near the airport, causing panic among visitors, including families and children who had gathered to watch the display. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the pilot managed to eject before the aircraft went down. Emergency response teams rushed to the scene, and officials have not released information on casualties or damage so far.

The Tejas is a 4.5-generation, multi-role fighter aircraft developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Designed for versatility, it is capable of offensive air support, close combat, ground attack missions and maritime operations. The aircraft family includes single-seat fighters and twin-seat trainers for both the Air Force and Navy.

HAL describes the latest version, the LCA Mk1A, as the most advanced in the series, featuring an AESA radar, an upgraded electronic warfare suite with radar-warning and self-protection jamming, smart multifunction displays, a digital map generator, a combined interrogator–transponder system and a modern radio altimeter. These enhancements significantly improve the aircraft’s combat capability and survivability.

Further updates from IAF and UAE authorities are awaited.

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