Bengaluru: Amid the growing chorus to host the biennial mega Aero India event in Bengaluru itself and not shift it to another venue, KPCC president Dinesh Gundurao on Tuesday shot off a letter to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman demanding that the event be held in Yelahanka Air Force Station where it has been held ever since its inception in 1996. Mr Rao pointed out that the southern states had been meted out step motherly treatment by the Centre on more than one occasion. Reports on Aero India likely to be shifted out of the state had come as a shock to the people here, he said.
“Aero India has been hosted by Karnataka since 1996 and our air base is still one of the best in the country for this purpose. Aviation experts and companies across the globe congregate in what is the largest aviation event in the country which is not only a matter of pride for our state but is a much-needed shot in the arm for our very own indigenous aerospace industry,” reads the letter.
The KPCC president questioned Ms Sitharaman’s contribution to Karnataka after she was elected to the Rajya Sabha from the state. “Ms Sitharaman has failed in protecting the interests of Karnataka. The state had a lot of expectations from you, but you have failed to protect the state's interests when the Centre is committing injustice repeatedly” Mr Rao stated. He cited instances of alleged injustice such as shifting of CRPF centre from Karnataka to UP, treatment meted out to HAL in the Rafale deal and the talk about shifting Aero India 2019 outside Bengaluru.
“I’m not able to understand what your contribution as Rajya Sabha member to Karnataka is? If you had any new programmes for the state, it would have been good. But you haven't got any, and you have kept quiet even when things are being taken away," he said. There were reports that Aero India might be shifted to Lucknow but Ms Sitharaman during her visit to the city last week had stated “We have not made any announcement as yet." Preparations for Aero India usually begin a year in advance but with just six months left for the 2019 edition of the event, there is still no clarity on where the event will be held.
