Abdul Kalam will not contest presidential poll

June 18, 2012

New Delhi, June 18: In an official statement, former President A P J Abdul Kalam has said he will not contest the presidential election 2012 to be held on July 19.

The former President said he was aware of the developments in the run-up to the elections but had never aspired for a second term as President.

Kalam also conveyed the same to senior BJP leader L K Advani a short while ago, PTI reported. Kalam reportedly told Advani his conscience did not permit him to contest the presidential election.

Advani had spoke to the former President three times over the issue, sources said.

Earlier, BJP leader Sudheendra Kulkarni also met Kalam on the issue. The NDA meeting on Sunday called to discuss the presidential poll remained inconclusive.

The BJP, for now, has evaded questions on this development. "BJP core group is scheduled to meet at 9pm today at party president Nitin Gadkari's residence to discuss presidential election," a BJP leader said.

Meanwhile, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar said he favoured a consensus on the issue of candidature for which efforts were on within the Opposition alliance. "There has been free and fair discussion (in the NDA meeting). We are in favour of consensus (on the President poll) but how will there be a consensus on the issue unless NDA itself comes up with a consensus. Efforts are on to build a consensus and, hence, consultations are continuing in NDA," he told reporters here.

Accepting that he has a "good relationship" with Mukherjee, Kumar said, "My relations with P A Sangma (who is also in the fray) are not bad. In politics, one shares good relations with all."

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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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