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Tag: Amethi

  • “Right political decision”: Congress’ Pramod Tiwari lauds Rahul Gandhi’s decision to retain Rae Bareli seat

    Congress leader Pramod Tiwari lauded Rahul Gandhi’s decision to retain the Rae Bareli Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh and called it the “right political decision.”

    Tiwari also thanked the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi for respecting the mandate of Uttar Pradesh.

    “I want to thank the national leadership of Congress and Rahul Gandhi. He (Rahul Gandhi) has taken the right political decision. Apart from this, he has also respected the mandate of Uttar Pradesh which gave 43 out of 80 seats to the INDIA alliance,” the senior Congress leader told ANI.”Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will win from Wayanad by 5 lakh votes,” he added.

    Meanwhile, Congress workers burst crackers and celebrated in Rae Bareli as Rahul Gandhi decided to retain the Lok Sabha seat.

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    Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge announced Priyanka Gandhi’s candidature from Wayanad at a special press conference on Monday. If Priyanka Gandhi wins from Wayanad, three members of the Nehru-Gandhi family will be in Parliament – Sonia Gandhi in Rajya Sabha and Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi in the Lok Sabha.Priyanka Gandhi said on Monday that she will contest the bypoll from Wayanad but her decades-old association with Amethi and Rae Bareli will continue.”I am very happy to be able to represent Wayanad and I will not let them feel his (Rahul Gandhi’s) absence. I will work hard and I will try my best to make everyone happy and be a good representative. I have a very old relationship with Rae Bareli and Amethi and it cannot be broken. I will also help my brother in Rae Bareli. We will both be present in Rae Bareli and Wayanad,” Priyanka Gandhi said at the special press conference.

    The bye-election in the seat was necessitated after Rahul Gandhi decided to retain Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli seat, which he won along with Wayanad in the recently held Lok Sabha elections.

  • ‘Are You PM Candidate?…’: Smriti Irani Taunts Rahul Gandhi Amid Modi Debate Bid

    In response to Rahul’s request for a debate, Irani stated that anyone who lacks the bravery to run against a typical BJP leader in Amethi, should not brag.

  • Who is Kishori Lal Sharma? Meet KL Sharma, Gandhi Family Loyalist To Contest From Amethi Against Smriti Irani |

    The nerve-wracking suspense around Congress’ candidate for the Amethi Lok Sabha Seat came to an end today. The Congress party has fielded its trusted hand, KL Sharma, from the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency, earlier represented by Rahul Gandhi. On the other hand, top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will contest from Rae Bareli seat, vacated by Sonia Gandhi. In Lok Sabha Elections 2024, KL Sharma will now compete against Smriti Irani, the present BJP MP from Amethi. 

    Congress releases another list of candidates for the upcoming #LokSabhaElections2024

    Rahul Gandhi to contest from Raebareli and Kishori Lal Sharma from Amethi. pic.twitter.com/2w4QQcn9ok
    — ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2024

    Who Is Kishori Lal Sharma? 

    Sharma is originally from Ludhiana, Punjab. The Gandhi family is thought to be very close to KL Sharma who has been managing the work at Rae Bareli as Sonia Gandhi’s agent for a considerable amount of time. 

    History With Rajiv Gandhi 

    Along with Rajiv Gandhi, Kishori Lal Sharma stepped in Rae Bareli and Amethi in 1983. His bond with the Gandhi family became closer after Rajiv Gandhi passed away. Thereafter, he continued to be connected to the Gandhi family. 

    Following Rajiv Gandhi’s demise in 1991, Sharma continued to visit Rae Bareli and Amethi, occasionally to cater to the work of Sheila Kaul and other times that of Satish Sharma.
    KL Sharma accompanied Sonia Gandhi to Amethi as she made her foray into active politics. KL Sharma assumed supervision of both the Rae Bareli and Amethi seats when Sonia Gandhi moved to Rae Bareli and left the Amethi seat for Rahul Gandhi. KL Sharma began overseeing the work related to the seats of Amethi and Rae Bareli. In addition to leading Amethi, it’s believed that KL Sharma will continue to manage Rahul Gandhi’s work from Rae Bareli. 

    KL Sharma – A Loyal Congress Stalwart  

    Although members of the Congress began to leave over time, KL Sharma has always been incredibly loyal and dedicated. He switched between being in charge of Bihar and joining the Punjab committee. At times, he continued to be an AICC member, while at other times, he held control of the electoral arena. 

  • Congress fields Rahul Gandhi from Rae Bareli, KL Sharma to contest from Amethi; drops Priyanka Gandhi Vadra – The Economic Times Video

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to contest the Lok Sabha elections from the Rae Bareli seat, announced the INC on May 3, the last day of filing nomination. Furthermore, the party has decided to drop Priyanka Gandhi Vadra this times around. Congress’ loyalist KL Sharma will be contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi, the seat Rahul Gandhi lost in the 2019 general elections to BJP leader Smriti Irani.

  • Amethi: Suspense continues over Rahul, Priyanka’s candidatures from Raebareli and Amethi; final decision today

    New Delhi: With just a day left for the filing of nominations for Phase 5 of the Lok Sabha elections, the suspense continued over the Congress’ candidates for the Amethi and Raebareli constituencies of Uttar Pradesh, once considered a stronghold of the Nehru-Gandhi family.

    According to sources, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is already on the Congress ticket from Wayanad in Kerala, which polled in the second phase on April 26, is likely to put himself in the fray from Amethi as well.

    Rahul’s candidature from the seat he lost to Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irin 2019 will be formally announced on Thursday, and he will file his nomination from the constituency on Friday, sources said.The sources added that along with Congress leaders, its partners in the INDIA bloc also suggested that Rahul contest Amethi.AllUttar PradeshMaharashtraTamil NaduWest BengalBiharKarnatakaAndhra PradeshTelanganaKeralaMadhya PradeshRajasthanDelhiOther States”They also proposed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as the candidate from Raebareli,” a source said.The Samajwadi Party (SP), which earlier announced a seat-sharing pact with the grand old party in Uttar Pradesh, told Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge that after its supremo Akhilesh Yadav’s decision to contest Kannauj, Rahul’s entry into the fray along with his sister Priyanka may bring unexpected electoral dividend to the Opposition bloc, sources said.”Kharge told Sonia Gandhi that the party and he, himself, was in favour of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka contesting the elections (from Amethi and Raebareli),” the source added.However, adding to the intrigue around the Congress’ choice of candidates for these two constituencies, sources claimed that even as Rahul and Priyanka appear reluctant to contest Amethi and Raebareli, Kharge insisted that at least one of them enter the fray.

    At the party’s committee meeting recently, the Congress’ UP unit formally moved a proposal that members of the Gandhi family should contest the Amethi and Raibareli seats and a final decision in the matter was left to Kharge.

    The Congress has not yet put out any official statement on its choice of nominees from Amethi and Raebareli, which were considered the party’s strongholds until the 2019 elections.

    Earlier, Congress leader KL Sharma told ANI, “Today, we had a meeting in Amethi and Raebareli as the party is still undecided on its choice of candidates from these two constituencies. People expect someone from the Gandhi family to contest (these seats) and I, too, feel the same. Since the last date for filing nominations is May 3 (Friday), we had to rush through the preparations. Hence, two meetings were held today (in Amethi and Raebareli).”

    Addressing reporters on Wednesday, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, “The Central Election Committee (CEC) has empowered our party president Mallikarjun Kharge to take a final call on our candidates for Amethi and Raebareli. I expect a formal announcement to be made in the next 24 to 30 hours.”

    The Congress, which is contesting 17 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh as part of the seat-sharing deal with the Samajwadi Party (SP), has announced candidates for all the seats barring Amethi and Raebareli.

    Amethi is scheduled to poll in the fifth phase on May 20, with the last date for filing nominations scheduled on May 3.

    Rahul’s defeat in Amethi, once considered a Congress ‘pocket borough’, at the hands of Irani in the 2019 polls was seen as a significant blow to the party’s national prestige.

    Rahul represented Amethi in the Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2019. His father and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, too, was an elected member of Amethi in the Lower House from 1981 till his death in 1991. Sonia Gandhi contested elections from here in 1999 before passing the baton on to Rahul in 2004.

    Rahul currently represents Wayanad in the Lok Sabha while Irani is bidding for a fresh term from Amethi.

  • Priyanka Gandhi Likely To Make Lok Sabha Poll Debut From Raebareli; Rahul To Contest From Amethi And Wayanad |

    NEW DELHI: After much anticipation, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is likely to make her electoral debut from Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, a constituency held by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for three terms, sources said on Wednesday. This move comes as Priyanka’s mother, former party chief Sonia Gandhi, announced her decision not to seek re-election from Raebareli, a seat she had secured five times in the past, including in 2019 when she emerged as the sole Congress victor in UP.

    Rahul Gandhi To Contest From Amethi And Wayanad

    Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi is poised to reclaim the Congress stronghold of Amethi, which he lost to BJP’s Smriti Irani in a surprising defeat in 2019. Importantly, Rahul will also contest from Wayanad in Kerala, a seat he won in the previous general election, ensuring his Lok Sabha status.

    A formal announcement in this regard could be made after the Congress CEC meeting scheduled to be held tomorrow evening. The crucial CEC meeting has been called to finalise the Congress candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Sources said that an announcement regarding Priyanka and Rahul’s candidature can be made after the two-day meeting of the CEC that is likely to conclude on March 9.

    Priyanka Gandhi’s foray into electoral politics has been long-awaited, with speculations rife after Sonia Gandhi’s withdrawal from Raebareli. The striking resemblance between Priyanka and her grandmother, Indira Gandhi, has not escaped the notice of constituents. Posters urging Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to contest from Raebareli have surfaced in the constituency, reflecting the anticipation among locals for her candidacy.

    Congress Awaiting BJP’s Move

    The BJP is yet to announce its candidate for Raebareli, following its defeat by a significant margin in 2019. However, it has been confirmed that Smriti Irani will defend her seat in Amethi, setting the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle in Uttar Pradesh.

    As Priyanka Gandhi prepares to step into the electoral arena from Raebareli, and Rahul Gandhi gears up to reclaim Amethi, the political landscape in Uttar Pradesh braces for intense competition ahead of the upcoming elections.

  • smriti irani griha pravesh: Smriti Irani does Griha Pravesh at new luxurious home in Amethi. See pics and video here

    Union Minister Smriti Irani and her husband, Zubin Irani, performed traditional rituals during the ‘Griha Pravesh’ ceremony at their home in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. A video showing Smriti and her husband performing the rituals has been shared.

    The traditions at Smriti Irani’s new home started on Wednesday. Led by the priest Ashish Maharaj from Ujjain, the housewarming ceremony began. The consecration of the newly installed idols of deities in their new home also took place.

    The ‘Griha Pravesh’ is a customary Hindu ritual performed when someone moves into a new home.

    Irani purchased 11 biswa (1,650 sq yard or 14850 sqft) land in the village of Mawai in Gauriganj Tehsil in 2021 and built a luxurious house, where she has now performed the Griha Pravesh ceremony. In 2019, she announced her plan to construct a permanent residence in the area.

    In 2014, Smriti Irani contested elections in Amethi for the first time but was unsuccessful. However, she ran again in 2019 and emerged victorious against Rahul Gandhi.

    Amethi is known for the heated electoral battles between Rahul Gandhi and Smriti Irani. Both leaders revisited the constituency ahead of the impending Lok Sabha elections. While BJP’s Smriti Irani conducted a Jan Samwad in her area, Rahul Gandhi embarked on his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.Reflecting on her victory over Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections by approximately 55,000 votes, Smriti Irani asserted that the resentment of Amethi’s populace towards the Congress leader is palpable. She cited Gandhi’s comments post his victory in Wayanad and the Congress’s abstention from the Ram Temple inauguration as sources of discontent among Amethi residents, evident in the sparse reception he received in the streets.Challenging Rahul Gandhi to contest solely from Amethi in the upcoming elections, Smriti Irani questioned the Congress’s stance on Gandhi’s potential candidacy. In response, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh deferred to the decision of the Central Election Committee, emphasizing Amethi’s significance historically for the party.

    Amethi, once a Congress stronghold, shifted allegiance in 2019 with Rahul’s defeat to Smriti Irani. Previously, Rahul Gandhi had represented Amethi in the Lok Sabha for three terms, winning by a significant margin in 2014 against Irani.

    Despite the Congress’s historical prominence, its electoral prospects in the state have dwindled. In the 2019 elections, the party secured only one seat in Uttar Pradesh—Rae Bareli, represented by Sonia Gandhi until now. However, Sonia Gandhi announced her decision not to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls due to health and age-related concerns.

    (Inputs from ANI)

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  • Priyanka Gandhi Hospitalised, Skips Rahul-Led Nyay Yatra As It Enters Uttar Pradesh Today |

    New Delhi: Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will not be joining the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Uttar Pradesh on Friday to bad health conditions. “I was eagerly waiting for the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra to reach Uttar Pradesh, but due to illness I had to be admitted to the hospital today itself,” the leader informed via X (formerly Twitter). The Yatra is currently in Bihar and is scheduled to reach Chandauli in UP after concluding the halt in Bihar. UP is the crucial Hindi state that elects the most MPs to the Lok Sabha. 

    Gandhi further wrote that she will be joining the journey as soon as she feels better. “Till then, I wish all the passengers reaching Chandauli-Banaras, my colleagues and dear brother from Uttar Pradesh who are diligently preparing for the journey,” she added. 

    मैं बड़े चाव से उत्तर प्रदेश में भारत जोड़ो न्याय यात्रा के पहुँचने का इंतजार कर रही थी, लेकिन बीमारी की वजह से मुझे आज ही अस्पताल में भर्ती होना पड़ा। थोड़ा बेहतर होते ही मैं यात्रा में जुड़ूँगी। तब तक के लिए चंदौली-बनारस पहुंच रहे सभी यात्रियों, पूरी मेहनत से यात्रा की तैयारी…
    — Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) February 16, 2024

    Nyay Yatra’s Route Not Shortened In UP: Cong

    Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the yatra has not been shortened in Uttar Pradesh as it will stay in the key Hindi state for eight days from 16th to 21st February before continuing to western Uttar Pradesh on 24th and 25th February.  Earlier, UPCC chief Ajay Rai had notified that the UP leg of Nyay Yatra has been revised and reduced due to the ongoing UP Board exams.

    Rai said that the changes were made due to logistical issues. He said that the places where the workers and organisers were supposed to stay are mostly private schools or colleges which will now be used for the board exams. 

    The omission of western UP from Rahul’s itinerary is important as it comes after RLD broke away from INDIA bloc. The Congress has a very weak presence in western UP and the party does not have any influential leader in the region. A senior leader said that they do not want to give an impression that Rahul’s presence in a certain area did not help them win seats.

    Rahul Gandhi, the former head of Congress, is spearheading the Nyay Yatra from Manipur to Mumbai. The yatra is now in Bihar. The Manipur-Mumbai Yatra from East to West covers 6,700 km across 15 states and aims to spread the message of “nyay” (justice) while interacting with ordinary people along the way.

  • UP Congress wants Rahul Gandhi to return to Amethi in 2024 LS polls, after SC relief

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: With the return of Congress’s Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi to Parliament after a gap of 137 days following the SC’s on his sentence in a defamation case, both the Congress and ruling BJP are set to remodel their strategy for Amethi and Rae Bareli ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls. 

    At present, only Sonia Gandhi, the former Congress chief, holds the Congress flag in Lok Sabha from UP by representing Rae Bareli in the lower house of Parliament.

    Till the 2019 general election, Congress had two MPs – Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli and Rahul Gandhi from Amethi—but in 2019 while Sonia retained Rae Bareli, Rahul lost Amethi to BJP’s Smriti Irani.

    However, with the return of Rahul Gandhi to Parliament, not only the buoyant Congressmen have become hopeful of him trying his luck again from Amethi in 2024 but the BJP also weighing the possibility and draw its strategy afresh for Amethi.

    The confidence of Congressmen over the prospect of Rahul recontesting from Amethi was manifested when the jubilant party workers in Amethi cut a 51-kilogram laddoo, burst crackers and distributed sweets among the masses to celebrate stay on Rahul Gandhi’s sentence by the apex court.

    ALSO READ | Rahul attends Lok Sabha, accorded warm welcome by Congress, Opposition MPs on arrival

    According to the party’s former MLC Deepak Singh, the way the people of Amethi celebrated stay on Rahul Gandhi’s sentence, they are assured that he would return to Amethi to contest in 2024. “The mood of the people of Amethi says it all,” said Deepak Singh.

    Moreover, a delegation of UP Congress leaders was expected to meet Rahul Gandhi in Delhi after the monsoon session of Parliament to urge him to contest from Amethi in 2024, said Singh.

    On the other, the UP minister of state for Sports and minister in charge of Amethi, Girish Yadav holds a contrarian view.

    “As the minister in charge of Amethi, I am well aware of the people’s mood. They know how things have changed in Amethi ever since BJP won. Union minister Smriti Irani, the local MP of Amethi, has done so much for the people that irrespective of the rival candidate against her, it will be a no-contest,” said Yadav.

    With the 2024 Lok Sabha polls less than a year away, Union Minister Smriti Irani has stepped up her visits. Between June and August alone, she spent more than 50 days in her constituency. She was in Amethi again on Sunday to launch the campaign for the redevelopment of 508 railway stations across the country. Fifty-five of these, including Amethi and Rae Bareli railway stations, are in Uttar Pradesh.

    LUCKNOW: With the return of Congress’s Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi to Parliament after a gap of 137 days following the SC’s on his sentence in a defamation case, both the Congress and ruling BJP are set to remodel their strategy for Amethi and Rae Bareli ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls. 

    At present, only Sonia Gandhi, the former Congress chief, holds the Congress flag in Lok Sabha from UP by representing Rae Bareli in the lower house of Parliament.

    Till the 2019 general election, Congress had two MPs – Sonia Gandhi from Rae Bareli and Rahul Gandhi from Amethi—but in 2019 while Sonia retained Rae Bareli, Rahul lost Amethi to BJP’s Smriti Irani.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    However, with the return of Rahul Gandhi to Parliament, not only the buoyant Congressmen have become hopeful of him trying his luck again from Amethi in 2024 but the BJP also weighing the possibility and draw its strategy afresh for Amethi.

    The confidence of Congressmen over the prospect of Rahul recontesting from Amethi was manifested when the jubilant party workers in Amethi cut a 51-kilogram laddoo, burst crackers and distributed sweets among the masses to celebrate stay on Rahul Gandhi’s sentence by the apex court.

    ALSO READ | Rahul attends Lok Sabha, accorded warm welcome by Congress, Opposition MPs on arrival

    According to the party’s former MLC Deepak Singh, the way the people of Amethi celebrated stay on Rahul Gandhi’s sentence, they are assured that he would return to Amethi to contest in 2024. “The mood of the people of Amethi says it all,” said Deepak Singh.

    Moreover, a delegation of UP Congress leaders was expected to meet Rahul Gandhi in Delhi after the monsoon session of Parliament to urge him to contest from Amethi in 2024, said Singh.

    On the other, the UP minister of state for Sports and minister in charge of Amethi, Girish Yadav holds a contrarian view.

    “As the minister in charge of Amethi, I am well aware of the people’s mood. They know how things have changed in Amethi ever since BJP won. Union minister Smriti Irani, the local MP of Amethi, has done so much for the people that irrespective of the rival candidate against her, it will be a no-contest,” said Yadav.

    With the 2024 Lok Sabha polls less than a year away, Union Minister Smriti Irani has stepped up her visits. Between June and August alone, she spent more than 50 days in her constituency. She was in Amethi again on Sunday to launch the campaign for the redevelopment of 508 railway stations across the country. Fifty-five of these, including Amethi and Rae Bareli railway stations, are in Uttar Pradesh.

  • Uttar Pradesh: Amethi’s Korwa unit begins production of AK-203 assault rifles

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: The manufacturing unit of the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) situated at Korwa in Amethi district of Uttar Pradesh has started the production of AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles.

    Last week, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande had claimed that the first batch of 5,000 AK-203 rifles would be delivered to the Army by March, this year.

    Alexander Mikheev, Director General of Rosoboronexport, the Russian partner, confirmed it by saying that Korwa Ordnance factory in Amethi has produced the first batch of 7.62 mm Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles.

    The IRRPL was set up jointly between Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL) of India and Rosoboronexport (RoE) and Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern in 2019. Rosoboronexport and Kalashnikov Concern are the subsidiaries of Rostec State Corporation.

    While issuing a statement on Tuesday, Alexander Mikheev said: “The beginning of deliveries to the Indian Army is expected soon. At the same time, the Korwa Ordnance factory’s capacity makes it possible to fully equip the personnel of other law enforcement agencies in India with AK-203 assault rifles.”

    He also claimed that the joint venture would also be able to export the rifles to other countries.

    Besides retaining all the advantages of the traditional AK scheme in terms of reliability, and durability coupled with ease of maintenance, the AK-2000 series assault rifles also meet the latest requirements for firearms in terms of ergonomics and the ability to mount high-tech additional equipment, the statement added.

    In consonance with the ‘Make In India’ initiative of the Government of India, the Russian partner claimed that it aimed at cooperating with its Indian counterpart in terms of transfer of technology. “With the launch of series production of Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles, high-quality, convenient and modern small arms will begin to enter service with India’s defence and law enforcement agencies,” said Sergey Chemezov, General Director of Rostec.

    “The model combines excellent ergonomics, adaptability to different shooters and high-performance characteristics, it is one of the best assault rifles in the world,” he added.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of a new manufacturing unit of the AK-203 assault rifle, the latest derivative of the legendary AK-47 rifle, at Korwa in March 2019.

    The government of India had given its go-ahead to the manufacturing of the initial batch of 5 lakh rifles in 2021.

    The joint venture plans to ensure 100% localisation of the production of AK-203 rifles in India and in future may also increase output and upgrade its production facilities to manufacture advanced rifles based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle platform, the statement further added. 

    LUCKNOW: The manufacturing unit of the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) situated at Korwa in Amethi district of Uttar Pradesh has started the production of AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles.

    Last week, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande had claimed that the first batch of 5,000 AK-203 rifles would be delivered to the Army by March, this year.

    Alexander Mikheev, Director General of Rosoboronexport, the Russian partner, confirmed it by saying that Korwa Ordnance factory in Amethi has produced the first batch of 7.62 mm Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles.

    The IRRPL was set up jointly between Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL) of India and Rosoboronexport (RoE) and Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern in 2019. Rosoboronexport and Kalashnikov Concern are the subsidiaries of Rostec State Corporation.

    While issuing a statement on Tuesday, Alexander Mikheev said: “The beginning of deliveries to the Indian Army is expected soon. At the same time, the Korwa Ordnance factory’s capacity makes it possible to fully equip the personnel of other law enforcement agencies in India with AK-203 assault rifles.”

    He also claimed that the joint venture would also be able to export the rifles to other countries.

    Besides retaining all the advantages of the traditional AK scheme in terms of reliability, and durability coupled with ease of maintenance, the AK-2000 series assault rifles also meet the latest requirements for firearms in terms of ergonomics and the ability to mount high-tech additional equipment, the statement added.

    In consonance with the ‘Make In India’ initiative of the Government of India, the Russian partner claimed that it aimed at cooperating with its Indian counterpart in terms of transfer of technology. “With the launch of series production of Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles, high-quality, convenient and modern small arms will begin to enter service with India’s defence and law enforcement agencies,” said Sergey Chemezov, General Director of Rostec.

    “The model combines excellent ergonomics, adaptability to different shooters and high-performance characteristics, it is one of the best assault rifles in the world,” he added.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of a new manufacturing unit of the AK-203 assault rifle, the latest derivative of the legendary AK-47 rifle, at Korwa in March 2019.

    The government of India had given its go-ahead to the manufacturing of the initial batch of 5 lakh rifles in 2021.

    The joint venture plans to ensure 100% localisation of the production of AK-203 rifles in India and in future may also increase output and upgrade its production facilities to manufacture advanced rifles based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle platform, the statement further added.