India can be global exporter of aviation components, products: Naidu
Hyderabad (PTI): Union Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Wednesday said the efforts are on to improve the manufacturing ecosystem that will help India become a global exporter of aviation components and products.
India is one of the world's fastest growing civil aviation markets and air traffic demand is on the rise. Airlines have placed orders for over 1,500 planes and there is renewed push to have more aviation sector-related manufacturing activities in the country.
"India has become a global trusted partner in aviation also... aviation is going to be a strong vertical in the country," the Civil Aviation Minister told media persons at the Begumpet airport here.
On Tuesday, Adani Group and Brazilian major Embraer announced plans to set up a regional transport aircraft manufacturing facility in the country.
State-owned HAL is working with a Russian entity as part of efforts to manufacture passenger planes in India.
In the morning, Naidu inaugurated the stand having a static display of aircraft at the four-day aviation summit Wings India 2026 that started on Wednesday.
The minister emphasised the need to improve the manufacturing ecosystem in the country to cater to the domestic demand that is going to grow in the next 10 to 20 years.
Aircraft makers Boeing and Airbus, both of which have significant presence in India, sources components and services worth over USD 2 billion annually from the country.
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Surjewala slams Pratap Simha’s ‘vile’ remarks on CM Siddaramaiah, demands apology from BJP
Bengaluru (PTI): Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over alleged disparaging remarks made by former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during an assembly bypoll campaign in Bagalkote.
Simha made the remarks while campaigning for BJP candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath, triggering a political row ahead of the by-elections scheduled for April 9.
Congress has fielded Umesh Meti, son of former MLA late M Y Meti, whose death necessitated the bye-election.
"Pratap Simha's vile remarks about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bagalkot have exposed the BJP's despicable politics once again," Surjewala said in a social media post.
Alleging a larger political design, he added, "It is increasingly evident that Pratap Simha’s outburst is driven by desperation," and accused the BJP of using such remarks to target backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and minorities.
The Rajya Sabha member further claimed that the incident reflects a pattern within the party. "This is not one man's madness—it is the BJP’s political culture," he said, adding that the remarks were aimed at "denigrating leaders from marginalised communities".
Referring to past incidents, Surjewala said, "CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar have received death threats in the past, including one from BJP leaders who warned that their bodies would be stuffed into a refrigerator."
The Congress leader also criticised the BJP’s bypoll campaign strategy, alleging "internal contradictions".
He pointed to the party’s use of expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal in campaigning despite earlier disciplinary action against him, accusing the BJP of resorting to "abuses and indignities" against opposition leaders.
Surjewala demanded immediate action from the BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, state president B Y Vijayendra, and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka.
He said they must tender a public apology to Kannadigas, particularly to OBCs, SCs, and minorities, over the remarks, and urged the party to expel Simha if it does not repudiate his statements.
Surjewala also called for legal action, demanding that an FIR be registered against Simha and that strict measures be taken.
Warning of "political consequences", he said the electorate in the bypoll-bound constituencies would respond decisively if the BJP failed to apologise, asserting that voters would "teach the BJP a befitting lesson" in the elections.
There has been no immediate reaction from the saffron party yet.
