The central government’s alleged decision to shift the 22nd edition of Aero India has kicked off a political battle in Karnataka. Calling the move a political vendetta and an attempt to end Bengaluru’s dominance in the aerospace sector, the Congress and the JD(S) have launched a political campaign, with only months left for the general elections.
The main target for both parties is Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka.
Too busy to read? Listen to the story instead.
For the Opposition parties, which have been protesting the government’s decision to sideline Bengaluru-based Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) to accommodate a private firm in the multi-role fighter jet deal with Rafale, the controversy over Aero India has provided further ammunition.
The alleged decision has also brought back the controversy over the step-motherly treatment to southern states.
The Rumour That Wasn’t Denied
The rumour of Aero India shifting out of Bengaluru is not new. During the earlier editions of the event such rumours had emerged, but they had been quelled by the previous defence ministers.
Even during the last edition of the air show, rumours of the event shifting to Goa did the rounds, but the then defence minister Manohar Parrikar had categorically denied them.
But on 4 August, during her visit to Bengaluru, when the defence minister was asked about rumours of a shift of venue, she didn’t deny it. “Many states are asking for the venue to be shifted. It’s just like the Defence Expo that was held for ten years continuously in Delhi and then once in Goa and later in Chennai,” she said in reply.
Since this statement, there were reports suggesting Lucknow has been chosen as the new venue and preparations were on to hold the 22nd edition of the air show in October 2018.
The Karnataka government has written to the Centre asking for an official stand and requesting them not to shift the location. However, there has been no reply from the central government.
‘You Have Ignored the State You Represent’: Cong Tells Defence Minister
Soon after the defence minister refused to deny the rumours, the Congress and the JD(S) launched a political campaign against the BJP. The party called out all the BJP MPs for not opposing the central government’s decision.
In a tweet, Karnataka Congress president Dinesh Gundurao sarcastically said that the defence minister has betrayed the state she represents.
Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said Bengaluru being ignored despite having the necessary infrastructure will hurt the interests of the state.
Chief Minister Kumaraswamy said:
Our BJP friends in Karnataka have to answer. We requested the defence minister when she visited. Bengaluru is proper place for Aero Show as all infrastructure is there. I don’t know why the Centre is taking such a decision.
A senior Congress leader said that the decision to move the air show was revenge for losing the Assembly elections. “From what we have learnt, UP lacks the facilities needed to run an air show and it doesn’t have a strong presence of aerospace industry like Bengaluru does. So, the only reason for shifting the show can be political,” said the senior Congress leader.
Unrest Within BJP Over Aero India
Even though the central government has not responded to the state’s demands to retain the show, within the BJP, there are differences over the move. Sources in the party said that several leaders have voiced their opinion that a decision to move the air show would impact the party in the state, as it was considered a pride of the state.
After days of silence on the issue, on Monday, BJP state president BS Yeddyurappa said the BJP will do it’s best to stop the shift. “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.
“Deputy CM and water resources minister are in a responsible position and they should not comment before any final decision is taken. Rather than commenting, they should have convinced the defence minister when she was here a few days ago. Though UP has asked for it, we MPs will not allow the air show to be conducted anywhere else other than Bengaluru,” he added.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)