Opposition Claims C295 Deal Taken from Maharashtra; BJP Dismisses Claims

Opposition Claims C295 Deal Snatched from Maharashtra, BJP Calls Argument ‘Trash’

Opposition parties claim the Tata-Airbus C295 project was moved from Maharashtra to Gujarat for political gain. The BJP, however, dismissed the accusations, attributing the delay to the previous Maharashtra government.

Opposition parties, including Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT), targeted the central government, alleging that the Tata-Airbus C295 aircraft facility inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Vadodara was originally meant to be established in Nagpur.

The opposition claims the project was relocated under influence from the Prime Minister, compromising Maharashtra’s interests. Senior Congress leader and General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said the people of Maharashtra would respond to what he termed a betrayal by PM Modi and his team.

Ramesh added, “The machinations to ensure Maharashtra lost this key investment are unimaginable.” He further argued that Maharashtra’s loss of projects under the Prime Minister’s leadership is not an isolated incident.

Echoing Ramesh, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi remarked that every significant project earmarked for Maharashtra was taken away. “The inauguration of the Tata Aircraft Complex in Vadodara demonstrates how Maharashtra has been sidelined. All projects initially meant for Maharashtra have been taken away,” Chaturvedi told news agency ANI.

She added, “Two Chief Ministers seem to be working for Gujarat. The project, which would have benefitted countless youth by creating employment, was shifted from Maharashtra. The Mahayuti government cares only about remaining in power, not public welfare.”

PM Modi and Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez inaugurated the Tata Aircraft Complex in Vadodara, India’s first private military aircraft manufacturing center, which will produce C295 aircraft. This aircraft can also be used for medical evacuations, disaster response, and maritime patrol.

BJP Responds to Opposition Claims
Responding to Congress’s claims, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya labeled Jairam Ramesh’s remarks as “utter trash.” He countered by saying Maharashtra’s Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government delayed necessary agreements, which could have facilitated the project in Gujarat.

Malviya said, “If Maharashtra’s Maha Vinash Aghadi – MVA – was so concerned about this opportunity, why did they delay signing MoUs or agreements to facilitate it?”

The BJP leader also referred to a Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) white paper, which indicated that the then MVA government did not sign any formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to acquire land for the Tata-Airbus project.