A garland of Washington apples

Gone are the days when leaders would be welcomed with either flower garlands or bouquets, even a shower of rose petals. The latest ‘trend’ in Karnataka politics is to string together imported Washington apples in giant garlands.

Some of these garlands, weighing as much as 750 kilograms are normally reserved for very senior leaders like CM Siddaramaiah. The garlands are intertwined with flowers and are hoisted using cranes; to be sure, they never go around the neck of the leaders. Once the pictures are clicked and even as the convoy of the leader moves a little ahead, waiting supporters scramble to snatch as many apples as possible.