By Express News Service

THRISSUR: While the LDF government vociferously advocates restraint in lavish and extravagant marriages, a wedding photograph going viral on social media shows the policy is not worth its weight in gold when it comes to certain party leaders.



Her daughter’s wedding photo has landed CPI legislator Geeta Gopi in a controversy. It shows the bride decked in ostentatious gold jewellery along with her mother at the Guruvayur temple where the marriage took place on Sunday. After it went viral on social media, questions are being raised whether the Left Front’s diktat is not applicable to leaders.



Apparently, it was CPI leader Mullakkara Ratnakaran who had brought the issue of lavish marriages in the Assembly. Acknowledging it, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had appealed to the public to refrain from extravagant weddings.



He also said there was a need to create awareness about the dowry malaise. The topic also came up post demonetisation when the son of Congress leader Adoor Prakash married the daughter of liquor baron Biju Ramesh. The CPI had then let loose a controversy citing the marriage as an example.



It appears Geeta may have to give an explanation to the party for the ostentatious display of wealth during the wedding attended by many CPI leaders. Activist like K M Shajahan came up with stinging criticism on social media.



“Looking at the photograph of the bride, who is decked in gold,” he said in his post. “One might think she is the daughter of a rich trader or millionaire. However, she is the daughter of a first-time CPI MLA. We can only be shocked.” He said the CPI had crossed the line drawn by the CPM.



CPI Thrissur district secretary K K Valsaraj said the party had a clear opinion on how its leaders and public representative should conduct weddings and similar functions. So far, there has been no objections. However, if required, it will be discussed within the party, he said. Geeta was however unavailable for comment.