The Karnataka government today stepped up pressure on the Centre to conduct the "Aero-India" 2019 edition here itself, amid reports that the venue for the prestigious air show hosted by the city for over two decades might be shifted to Lucknow.
As a political slugfest broke out, state chief minister H D Kumaraswamy dashed off a missive to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman, insisting that Bengaluru would be the "best choice" for the biennial event.
"Bengaluru being the hub for defence and aviation majors of the country, is certainly the most suitable place to conduct the show," he said in the letter.
There are reports that the event, organised by the Defence Ministry, would be held in Lucknow but the defence minister had made it clear a few days ago that no announcement had been made, but added that "people in many places are asking for that (the show)."