Bengaluru, Nov 16 (Agencies): Everything seems to be fair in love, war and politics. As the big fat wedding of the daughter of Janardhan Reddy is underway, former chief minister, Karnataka state BJP president and also a name associated with the illegal mining case B S Yeddyurappa along with some BJP leaders attended one of the functions at the specially erected grand wedding venue.
Yeddyurappa along with BJP leaders Jagadish Shettar, Renukacharya were seen congratulating Janardhan Reddy.
Sources in the BJP had said that there was an indication given to the BJP leaders not to find them associated with Reddy who is out on bail after being slapped with corruption charges. The BJP central leadership wanted the leaders to keep a clean image especially at a time when the NDA led government has begun an anti- black money movement.
According to sources, the state BJP leaders attended the wedding functions with the upcoming elections in mind as both Janardhan Reddy and his confidante BSR Congress MLA Sreeramulu have a strong hold in the Bellary region and several parts of Hyderabad-Karnataka. The participation of the politicians in the grand wedding is seen as a political strategy.
While traffic cops struggled to manage the heavy traffic outside the venue, Bangalore Palace was transported into the era of the glorious Vijayanagara empire. A replica of the groom's house in Hyderabad and a temple and a village-like setting of Ballari were among the other big sets.
About 180 bouncers were hired to keep trouble at bay as Reddy's close aide B Sriraramulu overseeing the preparations. The menu was strictly vegetarian, with South and North Indian and Chinese dishes. Reddy's favourite Gulzhar Paan from Ballari was another speciality.
A bevy of dancers and foreign models in traditional attire welcomed guests while stars and singers like Yash, Arun Sagar, Anushree, Haripriya, Shankar Mahadevan, KS Chitra and Vijay Prakash entertained the audience.
Sources estimate that Reddy, who was jailed on charges of illegal mining, is spending Rs. 150 crore on the wedding. However, a complaint lodged with I-T department estimates it to be around Rs. 650 crore.