It was lifted with a crane in Chamundeshwari constituency

Garlands made of flowers and cocoons are passé. In the run-up to the Karnataka Assembly election, prominent leaders are now being honoured by their supporters with garlands made of apples.

On Sunday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah got one such reception that stunned him when he was campaigning at Santhemala in Hootagalli, a key locality in Chamundeshwari constituency, from where he wants to contest.

Crane used

His staunch followers, mostly the youth, had to bring a crane to lift a mammoth garland of apples as it weighed about seven-and-half quintal.

Lifting the apple garland, the crane operator brought it closer to the vehicle carrying the Chief Minister and some local leaders for a symbolic garlanding, amidst loud cheer from the local youth.

As the crane operator lowered the bulky garland after greeting the Chief Minister, people jostled to pluck the fruit. Within a few minutes, half of the garland was emptied as each one of them plucked over half a dozen apples. Residents said the garland was made of about 3,000 apples.