The NCP on Sunday threatened to take disciplinary action against P.A. Sangma for contesting the presidential election without its go-ahead, but the former Lok Sabha Speaker, undeterred, said he was “still in the race”.
“I have made an appeal to all political parties to support my candidature,” Mr Sangma said, adding he had spoken to many NDA leaders.
He said he also contacted Mamata Banerjee seeking her support, but the Trinamul chief was insistent on the name of former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. “I said (to her) Dr Kalam had opted out, therefore you should support me,” Mr Sangma said.
In Kolkata, Trinamul MP Kunal Ghosh said Ms Banerjee asked Mr Sangma to support Dr Kalam if the former President contested, and to withdraw in that event.
When asked if he was prepared for action against him by the NCP, Mr Sangma said: “Sharad Pawar is saying he will appeal to me to withdraw. I can tell you I will appeal to him to support me.” He added: “It’s very clear I’m a candidate of the Tribal Forum of India, not a NCP candidate.”
***
Govt says no to raising 49% FDI cap in aviation
Hyderabad, July 17: The government on Sunday ruled out raising the 49 per cent FDI cap in the Indian aviation sector.
“I don’t think so. Because the 1934 Civil Aviation Act says management has to be in Indian hands, a majority of directors have to be Indian. Whatever worries people have, government will still decide the routes, government will still give at what time they fly and where,” civil aviation minister Ajit Singh told reporters while replying to a query. — PTI