CM Kumaraswamy asks PM Modi not to shift Aero India out of Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 13: Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asking him to ensure that the Aero India show be held in Bengaluru- the city that has hosted the event for the past 22 years.

In his letter, Kumaraswamy has said Bengaluru is the hub for defence and aviation majors in the country and the "most suitable place" to hold the show.

"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," he said.

"Hence, I would seek your indulgence in the matter to convey approval of Government of India for conducting Aero India Show-2019 at Bengaluru," he added.

Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led NDA government, Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy asserted that Bengaluru was the proper place for Aero India show, pointing that the Karnataka capital had all infrastructure needed.

Speaking to mediapersons on Sunday, the Janata Dal Secular (JDS) leader said, "Our BJP friends in Karnataka must answer. We also requested the defence minister and told her that Bengaluru is the proper place for the Aero show event and we have all infrastructure in place as well. I don't know why the Centre took such a decision."
However, state Bharatiya Janata Party leaders slammed the ruling coalition for creating a controversy.

"It is not yet decided whether the air show will be shifted to Uttar Pradesh or not. Defence Minister said people of Uttar Pradesh are asking for the air show but this is not yet decided. We will try our best to make sure that it is not shifted anywhere else," Yeddyurappa said.

Speculation is rife that the Aero India Expo, which is held in Bengaluru since 1996, will be shifted to Uttar Pradesh.

For the past 22 years, Aero India biennial air show and aviation exhibition has been held at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru.