The buzz around shifting Aero India from Bengaluru to Lucknow by the Union government has triggered a political slugfest in the State with the JD(S)-Congress government putting the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party in the dock over the issue.
As the demand against shifting aero show to Lucknow is growing, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressing his opposition to the move.
This resulted in State BJP leaders resorting to damage control exercise and seeking to allay fears of shifting out the aero show. The BJP leaders, particularly Union Ministers from Karnataka, said that they would take up the issue with the Centre to ensure that Bengaluru continues to host the show.
While the 11th edition of Aero India, which attracted the highest number of participants from across the world, was held in February 2017, the next edition is a few months away. Traditionally, it has been held in February. But the date or venue of the 12th edition is yet to be announced by the Defence Ministry. The show in Bengaluru, which is also home to a large number of aerospace and defence establishments, has been continuing uninterruptedly since 1996.
Terming the reports as “rumours”, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananth Kumar told reporters in Chamarajanagar that Lucknow did not have the facility or infrastructure to conduct such a show. He said that there were rumours last time as well, but the show was conducted in Bengaluru. “In case the event is shifted, I will take it up with the centre. The next aero show will be held in Bengaluru,” he said.
Former Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said it is true that Uttar Pradesh has asked for the event to be shifted, and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also confirmed it when she was in Bengaluru. “However, we are not ready to let it go. We will prevail upon the Centre to not take such a decision,” he told reporters.
H.M. Revanna and V.S. Ugrappa, Congress MLCs, told reporters in Bengaluru that the aero show should not be moved to Lucknow. “Ms. Sitharaman represents Karnataka and she should not allow change of venue,” Mr. Revanna said, while Mr. Ugrappa said that Mr. Ananth Kumar should make all efforts to retain the show in Bengaluru.
CM shoots off letter to PM
In his letter to Mr. Modi, Mr. Kumaraswamy sought approval to conduct the next edition in Bengaluru.
“Bengaluru is certainly the most suitable place to conduct the show and that has been proved right time and again all these years. In the 11th edition of Aero India held in February, 2017, a total of 549 global and Indian companies from 51 countries participated,” he pointed out.
“Bengaluru with its past experience in conducting the show successfully, with its beautiful weather conditions and favourably located defence and aviation industries, would be the best choice to conduct Aero India show. As the Chief Minister of the State, it will be my bounden duty to ensure best possible assistance by Team Karnataka,” states the letter.
BBMP passes resolution
The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahangara Palike, on Monday, unanimously passed a resolution urging the State government to pressure the Centre, specifically Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to continue to hold the air show in Bengaluru. The city already has in place the required infrastructure, the resolution stated. The council has also decided to extend all support to the air show if held once again in Bengaluru.
Signature campaign
The student fraternity in the city carried out a signature campaign opposing shifting of Aero India. In one such campaign held at Mount Carmel College, the students signed on huge banner stating that Aero India is the pride of Karnataka. NSUI members also conducted a signature campaign urging the Union government to retain Bengaluru as the venue for the next Aero India.
Meanwhile, Bangalore Tourist Taxi Owners’ Association has demanded that the State government take up the matter with the Centre. A petition by the association states that shifting of the venue form Bengaluru will negatively impact sectors like transport, tourism and hotels in the city.
