Scores throng former PM's grandson's wedding venue ignoring lockdown norms
Nikhil, son of former Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy,tied the nuptial knot with Revathi, the grand-niece of formerKarnataka housing minister M Krishnappa.
The marriage was solemnised at Kumaraswamy'sKethaganahalli farmhouse at Bidadi in the neighbouringRamanagara district, a JD(S) stronghold.
"The information we have is that at least 150 to 200vehicles were given permission to attend the event. Thishappened when the social workers who want to serve the badlyaffected poor people are not getting permission to run theirvehicles," Ramanagar BJP district president M Rudresh alleged.
"Till now Ramanagara is safe from coronavirus and is inthe green zone. If at all the disease spreads in Ramanagara,the entire blame will be on Deve Gowda's family," Rudreshalleged.
He also said that he would meet the DeputyCommissioner and the Superintendent of Police of Ramanagaradistrict and ask them how permission was granted for such a"large gathering".
JD(S) MLC T A Sharavana denied allegations that thelockdown norms were flouted.
"There were only eight people on the stage to performrituals as against the claim that people crowded the venue.Social distancing was maintained throughout the marriage,"Sharavana told P T I.
JD(S) leader N H Konaraddi also denied the accusationssaying that all the norms were followed.
"Whatever central guidelines are there, we have themfollowed in toto. The social distancing norm has also beenadhered to," he said.
Sources said the family was forced to shelve grandplans in view of the COVID-19 lockdown with only close familymembers in attendance.
With congregation of any type not allowed during thelockdown to check the spread of coronavirus, Kumaraswamyexplained in a video message earlier this week that the eventwill be a low-key family affair with minimum number of people.
He had also appealed to his party workers, relativesand well-wishers not to visit the venue.
According to him, after the lockdown was announced,the marriage was planned at their home here itself but sincesocial distancing will be a challenge, it was decided toorganise it in Ramanagara. He cited Bengaluru being in the"Red Zone" with maximum COVID-19 cases in the state as also areason for shift in the venue. GMS RS SS