K Sudhakar, the newly elected BJP MP from Chikkaballapur in Karnataka, has come under fire after a video of him distributing a truckload of liquor to public at an event in Nelamangala was leaked on social media.
The event was reportedly organised jointly by the BJP-JD(S) in Nelamangala to thank voters who elected K Sudhakar to power from Chikkaballapur constituency in the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls. Over 50,000 people participated in the event.
Around 150 cases of beer, 50 cases of whiskey, several crates of hard liquor, and non-vegetarian food were reportedly provided to those attending the event.
Alcohol was being served at the venue and videos showing several people appearing intoxicated went viral on social media. Leader of the Opposition R Ashok, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Dheeraj Muniraju and other leaders were also present at the programme.
Bengaluru Rural SP CK Baba pointed out that permission for the event had been given by the Excise department and police had been instructed to make the arrangements. “The police are not at fault. It is the Excise department’s fault for giving permission,” Baba said.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar slammed the BJP after the incident and sought a response from the party’s national president JP Nadda on the matter.
“I want BJP national president JP Nadda to answer this question. I don’t want local leaders to answer it, I want Nadda to answer it. I want their party to answer it first,” Shivakumar said.
Meanwhile, BJP MP Dr K Sudhakar distanced himself from the distribution of liquor at the event. He said he had gone there to take part in celebration programmes organised by the BJP and JD(S) but was unaware that liquor was being served.
“I am not aware of this. BJP-JDS activists had organised a programme to felicitate me and Leader of Opposition Ashok. They organised the programme. We attended the programme and left but later I got to know from the media what happened. I don’t know if the organisers did it or those who came there consumed it but if our party or JDS activists did it then it is wrong,” the MP said.
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao took to microblogging site X to question the BJP MP about the act and asked whether it was the BJP’s culture to provide liquor in large quantities to people.
Top Videos
Show all
China’s largest coast guard ship anchored in South China Sea
Worst attack in two years: Russian missile kills 20 in Kiev, devastates children’s hospital
Heavy rains cause flooding in Mumbai, India Meteorological Department predicts more rain
Kenyan concert commemorates victims of recent protests, calls for continued change
Joe Biden campaigns in Pennsylvania amid leadership questions
“While the state is hit by dengue, BJP leaders are busy distributing liquor. Is this your culture?” Rao wrote in X’s post.
Location: Karnataka, India
First revealed: 8 July 2024 21:13 IST
