HD Kumaraswamy Gets BS Yediyurappa's Support After Son's Wedding

The wedding involving two political families had no one from outside the family, claimed former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy.

When asked about the apparent lapse on Saturday, Mr Yediyurappa, downplayed the controversy (File)

Bengaluru: JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday received support from Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa after he was criticised on social media over his son Nikhil Kumaraswamy's wedding, where coronavirus precautions recommended by the authorities were apparently ignored.

Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda's grandson Nikhil Kumaraswamy married Revathi, the grandniece of a Congress leader and former minister, at a farmhouse about 28 km from the state capital Bengaluru during the coronavirus lockdown. Photos and videos of the function showed no social distancing or masks.

When asked about the apparent lapses on Saturday, Mr Yediyurappa, downplayed the controversy.

"All the necessary permissions were given and the marriage was performed in a simple manner. There is no need to discuss about it. They had done it well within their limits for which I congratulate them," he was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

The wedding involving two political families had no one from outside, former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy had claimed. Scores of guests were at the farmhouse in Ramanagara district, where the bride and groom exchanged garlands.

Mr Kumaraswamy had claimed "only around 60 to 70 people of the family" would attend the wedding. According to the Karnataka police, passes for 42 vehicles and 120 people were given.

The wedding was a relatively low-key event. Party workers and supporters were not invited to the function. A day before the wedding, Mr Kumaraswamy had apologised to his supporters for not inviting them.

After the function, Mr Kumaraswamy claimed in a tweet that all precautionary measures had been taken.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Ashwath Narayan had said action would be taken against the former chief minister "without a second thought" if guidelines were not followed in the wedding.