Maintenance, repair details of grounded UK F-35B fighter jet in Kerala to remain confidential
Thiruvananthapuram: The United Kingdom has decided to conduct repair and maintenance work on its grounded F-35B fighter jet at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala. However, all operational details surrounding the aircraft’s servicing will reportedly be kept a closely guarded secret.
Citing sources close to the UK government, The Hindu reported that authorities would not disclose specifics regarding the repair process or share details of any private communications with the Government of India. Despite the secrecy, the UK side expressed confidence that the aircraft will be fully restored and return to active service with the Royal Air Force once repairs and safety checks are completed.
The F-35B fighter, a multi-role combat aircraft, is known for its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, has remained grounded at the airport after it developed a technical fault. Initial attempts by the crew to address the issue reportedly failed.
Additionally, the details of the flight that issued a distress signal on the night of June 14 off the coast of Thiruvananthapuram, as per the flight radar data, were reportedly removed from the site.
Meanwhile, the British High Commission stated the aircraft is awaiting repairs at the airport after developing an engineering issue. The aircraft will be moved to the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility at the airport once UK engineering teams arrive with specialist equipment. However, there is still no clarity on when the expert team will arrive and why there has been an inordinate delay, added the report.
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BJP to retain Assam, win Bengal; NDA to emerge strong in TN, Kerala, Pondy: Pradhan
Bengaluru (PTI): Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday said the BJP would retain power in Assam, while expressing confidence that there would be a change of government in West Bengal, citing people’s continued faith in PM Narendra Modi and the party.
Asserting that NDA is likely to return to power in the union territory of Puducherry, he expressed confidence that the BJP-led alliance would emerge strongly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The counting of votes for all five Assemblies—West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, and Assam—will take place on May 4.
Polls were conducted in a single phase in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu, while West Bengal saw two phases of polling on April 23 and 29.
On April 9, Assam, Kerala, and Puducherry went to the polls, while Tamil Nadu voted on April 23.
“Beyond exit polls, all of us who worked in the election campaign this time in the five states (four states and one union territory) are confident that the BJP will retain power in Assam and that, for the first time in a long period, West Bengal is heading for a major change,” Pradhan said.
Speaking to reporters, the union education minister said there is significant anti-incumbency against the TMC government in West Bengal due to alleged misgovernance, appeasement politics, and corruption.
“The people of West Bengal are reposing their faith in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the policies of the BJP and the leadership of the state BJP. I am confident there will be a change of government in West Bengal,” he added.
Pradhan said that, in all probability, the NDA (All India N R Congress–BJP alliance) will retain power in Puducherry.
“In Kerala and Tamil Nadu, I think we are all confident that our alliance will emerge strongly,” he added.
Several exit polls on Wednesday predicted a thumping victory for the BJP in Assam and a clear edge for the party over the ruling TMC in West Bengal, while projecting a return of the DMK government in Tamil Nadu and a comeback by the Congress-led UDF in Kerala after 10 years.
However, some pollsters predicted a big win for the TMC in West Bengal and a hung House in Tamil Nadu, with actor-turned-politician Vijay’s TVK emerging as a spoiler for the DMK. Almost all forecasts indicated a return to power for the AINRC-led NDA government in Puducherry.
