Bengaluru, Sept 8: Weeks after a controversy erupted over the venue of Aero India 2019, the Centre on Saturday announced the finalised dates and venue for the aerial defence extravaganza. As per the notification issued by the Ministry of Defence, the aero show will be held between February 20-24 in Bengaluru.

A political slugfest had erupted between the BJP at the Centre and the Karnataka government led by the Congress-JD(S) combine, after reports claimed that the central government was contemplating to move the event to Lucknow in a bid to project Uttar Pradesh as a manufacturing hub.

Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy had marked his dissent, saying that he would agitate against the Centre if the aero show is moved out of the state. Former CM and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah had also lambasted the government, saying that it would validate the "step-motherly" treatment being meted out towards Karnataka.

The aero show is being held in Bengaluru for the last two decades. Each year, the event witnesses arms manufacturer from across the world displaying their fighter aircrafts, cargo planes and other defence equipments which could be procured by the Indian defence and paramilitary bodies. The event also facilitates the exchange of information, ideas and new developments in the aviation industry. "The Department of Defence Production is committed to make this a successful and result oriented show," the MoD notification said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 08, 2018 12:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).