Cong hints at second term for Ansari as VP

June 18, 2012

New Delhi, June 18: Congress appears to be considering giving a second term to Vice-president Hamid Ansari, who narrowly lost out to finance minister Pranab Mukherjee in the race for UPA nomination for the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

An indication to that effect came on Sunday, when Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said in a TV interview that the party leadership could continue Ansari as VP. To a question about the possibility of a second term for Ansari as VP, Singh said, "It is not a bad idea. Ansari has conducted himself admirably as a vice-president".

Singh also confirmed that Congress, assured of majority support, does not intend to leave the post of VP for the Opposition in order to ensure Mukherjee's unanimous election as the President. "It looks unlikely because we already have the numbers," he said.

Besides SP and BSP, who have often rescued it from sticky situations, the Congress can also expect to get the Left Front's backing for Ansari in case the leadership decides to retain him. Although the Left, which had sponsored the VP five years ago, was unhappy with the way he handled the debate on Lokpal in the Rajya Sabha in the winter session, they are likely to support his second stint as well.

However, Congress sources are not sure whether Ansari would agree to have another term, something which is sure to be viewed as a consolation trophy for the former diplomat who in the race for the Congress ticket for the Rahstrapati Bhawan appeared to be snapping at Mukherjee's heels until the last lap.

Singh's TV interview was marked by tough talk against Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee, although he stressed that the Congress on its own would not want her to leave the ruling coalition and does not favor "throwing her out".

Reflecting Congress's annoyance with Banerjee's defiant opposition to Mukherjee's choice for the Rashtrapati Bhawan, he said there is a "limit" to which one can "bend" as certain eventualities have to be faced if they cannot be avoided. Singh was replying to question as to whether the Congress is ready to bend over backwards to prevent Banerjee's exit from the UPA-II if she chooses to leave the ruling alliance.

In contrast, the Congress leader was all praise for SP boss Mulayam Singh, who had teamed up with Banerjee to block Congress nominees but de-coupled himself in 24 hours to clear the way for Mukherjee's elevation.

Singh called the SP chief as a "pragmatic political person", stoutly rejecting suggestions of a "deal" between the Congress and the SP such as the promise of some relief to Mulayam in CBI cases or a financial package for UP.

Justifying the party's tough response to Banerjee, he said: "All efforts have been made to console her, accept her views, accept her tantrums...beyond a certain limit, the decision is hers...there is a limit to which you can bend to...there are certain eventualities, which if it cannot be avoided have to be faced." He said that it was "very embarrassing" for party chief Sonia Gandhi and PM Manmohan Singh that Trinamool boss not only rejected the names of both UPA nominees but joined hands with the SP and announced three more names, including that of the PM when they "did not have consent of any of the three".

Singh felt that the step taken by the "erratic" Banerjee was "extremely immature" and appealed to her that she should reconsider her decision and respond to the "magnanimity" shown by Mukherjee and support his candidature. To questions on why Banerjee resorted to such an action, Singh said that the Trinamool chief "miscalculated".

"She has been erratic in some way...That is Mamata...nothing is impossible, nothing is unexpected as far as Mamata is concerned" was his refrain to a volley of questions about Banerjee's behaviour.

He also felt that Banerjee continuing to back Kalam is a "mistake" which she should "avoid".

Regarding the challenge before the Congress to find a replacement for Mukherjee as the finance minister and as the Leader of the Lok Sabha, Singh admitted that there could be choppy days for a while as "we do not have many people of his stature and abilities". However, he expressed confidence that the vacuum will be filled as UPA has "no dearth of talent".

Asked about the possibility of a new finance minister from outside the political domain like Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the Congress leader said," it is for the PM to decide...the PM has every right to appoint anyone even from outside" as the finance minister.

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Chaos in the skies: Why IndiGo is facing its worst crisis yet and what should passengers do now?

News Network

December 4,2025

Angry outbursts, long queues, and desperate appeals filled airports across India today as IndiGo grappled with a severe operational breakdown. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled or delayed, leaving thousands of passengers stranded through the night and forcing many to spend long hours at helpdesks.

Social media was flooded with videos of fliers pleading for assistance, accusing the airline of misleading updates, and demanding accommodation after being stuck for 10 to 12 hours at airports such as Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

What Triggered the Meltdown?

IndiGo has attributed the widespread disruption to “a multitude of unforeseen operational challenges.” These include:

•   Minor technology glitches
•   Winter-season schedule adjustments
•   Bad weather
•   Congestion in the aviation network
•   New crew rostering rules (Flight Duty Time Limitations or FDTL)

Among these, the most disruptive has been the implementation of the updated FDTL norms introduced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in January 2024.

These rules were designed to reduce pilot fatigue and improve passenger safety. Key changes include:

•   Longer weekly rest periods for flight crew
•   A revised definition of “night,” extending it by an extra hour
•   Tighter caps on flight duty timing and night landings
•   Cutting night shifts for pilots and crew from six per roster cycle to just two

Once these norms became fully enforceable, airlines were required to overhaul rosters well in advance. For IndiGo, this triggered a sudden shortage of crew available for duty, leading to cascading delays and cancellations.

Why IndiGo Was Hit the Hardest

IndiGo is India’s largest airline by a wide margin, operating over 2,200 flights daily. That’s roughly double the number operated by Air India.

When an airline of this size experiences even a 10–20% disruption, it translates to 200–400 flights being delayed or grounded — producing massive spillover effects across the country.

IndiGo also relies heavily on high-frequency overnight operations, a model typical of low-cost carriers that aim to maximise aircraft utilisation and reduce downtime. The stricter FDTL norms clash with these overnight-heavy schedules, forcing the airline to pull back services.

Aviation bodies have also criticised IndiGo’s preparedness. The Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA) said airlines were given a two-year window to plan for the new rules but “started preparing rather late.” IndiGo, it said, failed to rebuild crew rosters 15 days in advance as required.

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) went further, calling the crisis the result of IndiGo’s “prolonged and unorthodox lean manpower strategy,” and alleging that the airline adopted a hiring freeze even as it knew the new rules would require more careful staffing.

How Many Flights Are Affected?

In the past 48 hours, over 300 flights have been cancelled. At least 100 more are expected to be cancelled today.

City-wise impact:

•   Hyderabad: 33 expected cancellations; several fliers stranded overnight
•   Bengaluru: over 70 expected cancellations
•   Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata: widespread delays and missed connections

Passengers shared distressing accounts online.

One customer at Hyderabad airport said they waited from 6 PM to 9 AM with “no action taken” regarding their delayed Pune flight. Another said IndiGo repeatedly told them the crew was “arriving soon,” only for the delay to stretch over 12 hours.

IndiGo has apologised for the disruption and promised that operations will stabilise within 48 hours, adding that “calibrated adjustments” are being made to contain the chaos.

What Should Passengers Do Now?

For those flying in the next few days, especially with IndiGo, here are key precautions:

1. Keep Checking Flight Status
Monitor your flight closely before leaving for the airport, as delays may be announced last-minute.

2. Arrive Early
Expect long queues at counters and security due to crowding and rescheduling.

3. Carry Essentials
Pack snacks, water, basic medicines, chargers, and items for children or senior citizens. Extended waiting times should be anticipated.

4. Use Flexible Booking Options
If you booked tickets with a free-date-change or cancellation option, consider using them.
If you haven’t booked yet, prefer refundable or flexible fares, or even consider alternate airlines.

5. Follow IndiGo’s Updates
Keep an eye on IndiGo’s official social media channels and contact customer support for rebooking and refund queries.

What Needs to Change?

Pilot groups have raised concerns not just about staffing but also the planning practices behind it.
The Federation of Indian Pilots accused IndiGo of:

•   Imposing an unexplained hiring freeze despite knowing the FDTL changes were coming
•   Entering non-poaching agreements that limited talent movement
•   Keeping pilot pay frozen
•   Underestimating the need to restructure operations in advance

They have urged DGCA to approve seasonal schedules only after airlines prove they have adequate pilot strength under the new norms.

ALPA also warned that some airlines might be using the delays as an “immature pressure tactic” to push DGCA for relaxations in the new rules — which, if granted, could compromise the very safety standards the norms were meant to protect.

Both pilot bodies stressed that no exemption should dilute safety, and any deviations should be based solely on scientific risk assessment.

Is a Solution in Sight?

While IndiGo says normalcy will return within two days, aviation experts believe that fully stabilising operations could take longer, depending on how quickly the airline can:
•   Re-align rosters
•   Mobilise rested crew
•   Boost staffing
•   Adjust its winter schedule to match regulatory requirements
Passengers are advised to remain prepared for continued delays over the next few days as the airline works through its backlog.

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