Photos of the CPI MLA’s daughter – thick gold bangles almost up to the elbow on both hands – at her wedding ha... Read More

THRISSUR: Gita Gopi is a communist party MLA but the way her daughter was decked up for her wedding would make bona fide ‘bourgeoisie’ brides pale in comparison. Photos of the CPI MLA ’s daughter – thick gold bangles almost up to the elbow on both hands, shining, heavy necklaces that reached down to her stomach – at her wedding that took place in Guruvayur on Monday have gone viral on social media, seriously embarrassing the CPI which has of late been taking a moralistic stand on various issues.

Ironically, in the recent session of the state Assembly, CPI MLA and former minister Mullakkara Rathankaran had appealed to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to bring in a law against display of luxury during weddings in the state.

Clearly taken by surprise at the public outrage, Gita Gopi’s initial reaction was to apparently plead, “which mother wouldn’t do this for her daughter?” Her party however has taken the matter more seriously. “We have seen the photos with numerous gold ornaments on the bride, and such display of luxury is not acceptable to the party. There are norms for party workers and activists on such issues, and being an MLA she should have been cautious not to violate them,’’ the CPI’s state joint secretary Prakash Babu said. The CPI state committee has asked the Thrissur district leadership to conduct a probe.

Political opponents, including the Congress, point out that as per the affidavit submitted by Gita Gopi during the last election her total assets come to only Rs 58 lakh in 2016. Confirming that her assets were as mentioned in her affidavit, Gita Gopi said she and her husband had purchased gold ornaments weighing 50 sovereigns for their daughter. "The rest were gifted by our relatives. The food for the wedding per person cost only Rs 50 and the auditorium rent was only about Rs 1 lakh,’’ she clarified.

Interestingly, veteran CPM leader and former CM E K Nayanar as well as current party secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had faced allegations for holding ostentatious marriages of their children.

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In Video: Lavish wedding of CPI MLA's daughter, pictures go viral