BJP MP K Sudhakar's victory celebration in Chikkaballapur has sparked a significant controversy after reports emerged that people queued up to receive bottles of alcohol at the event. The celebration followed Sudhakar's win in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where he secured a substantial victory over Congress candidate MS Raksha Ramaiah.
The incident has drawn widespread criticism, with many questioning the appropriateness of distributing alcohol at a political event. Bengaluru Rural SP CK Baba clarified the situation, stating, ?The excise department gave permission and the police were instructed to take care of the arrangements. There is no fault of the police department in this; it is the responsibility of the excise department for providing the permission.?
According to an India Today report, Sudhakar had written a letter to the police department seeking security deployment and explicitly mentioned that alcohol would be served at the party. ?From 12.30 pm, the stage event will begin, and food and alcohol arrangements will be made,? an official letter from the BJP leader to the police department read.
Sudhakar's win in the Chikkaballapur constituency is notable, as he defeated his opponent by a margin of more than 1.5 lakh votes. Chikkaballapur is one of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka and has been a significant political battleground since its establishment in 1977 following the reorganization of Indian states.
The constituency saw a robust voter turnout of 77 percent during the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls on April 26. Despite the celebratory atmosphere following Sudhakar's victory, the distribution of alcohol at the event has overshadowed his electoral success and raised ethical and legal concerns about the conduct of political celebrations.
