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Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu said his sole focus is on bringing in new development and investment to his state rather than disrupting existing institutions in others
Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu’s comments come amid speculation over HAL’s expansion plans and his state’s pitch to attract aerospace investments. (Image: Sourced)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday dismissed media reports and political allegations suggesting that he sought the relocation of the Bengaluru-headquartered HAL facility from Karnataka to his state.
Naidu said his appeal to the central government was solely focused on establishing a defence manufacturing hub in Andhra Pradesh, and not on moving existing institutions from other states.
“I never asked for the HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) located in Bengaluru to be shifted to Andhra Pradesh. It’s a massive, strategic facility – such institutions can’t and shouldn’t be moved. I have never sought the relocation of any project from one region to another, and such an idea is not part of my history,” Naidu said at the Mahanadu Sabha in Kadapa.
Naidu’s comments come amid speculation over HAL’s expansion plans and Andhra Pradesh’s pitch to attract aerospace investments. A key player in India’s defence manufacturing sector, HAL presently operates major facilities in Bengaluru dedicated to the production of LCA (light combat aircraft) Tejas and upcoming AMCA (advanced medium combat aircraft ) projects.
Media reports have suggested that HAL may relocate its production units to Andhra Pradesh. He went on to say Lepakshi in Anantapur district is highly suitable for setting up aircraft manufacturing and defence-related industries.
“I had earlier highlighted Lepakshi’s potential, but unfortunately, some politicians in Karnataka misunderstood this as an attempt to shift HAL to Andhra Pradesh,” he added.
Naidu further reiterated that his intentions were focused on new development and investment. He said he recently met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to request the establishment of a defence manufacturing hub in Andhra Pradesh, especially in the Rayalaseema region.
“The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) is synonymous with development. We never oppose progress, nor do we believe in taking away projects from other states,” he said.
WHAT ARE THE POLITICAL ALLEGATIONS?
The Congress-ruled Karnataka has similarly dismissed media reports suggesting the relocation of HAL, but strongly reacted to the speculation over Naidu’s intentions.
“I do not know, as far as my knowledge goes, it cannot be. It will not be shifted,” said Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah. Echoing a similar stance, his deputy DK Shivakumar said the state will protect its assets at all costs.
“HAL was not given by any BJP government. It was set up in Bengaluru by Nehru due to the availability of technical manpower. I am not going to interfere in Chandrababu Naidu’s political request to the Centre. We have also given sufficient land to HAL and provided land to set up a helicopter unit in Tumakuru,” Shivakumar was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
“They are free to set up anything new in Andhra Pradesh; we are not going to object to it. But our government will do whatever it takes to protect our state’s assets,” he added.
Karnataka minister MB Patil clarified that such a move was neither feasible nor within the authority of a CM. “As far as I learned, no CM can request HAL to be shifted somewhere. All existing operations in Bengaluru, in Karnataka, will continue,” Patil told reporters.
He added: “He may have said that future expansions or one more HAL unit [could] come over there. And if I am right, I don’t think he can say and he would not have said to shift the HAL operations elsewhere.”
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Andhra Pradesh, India, India
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