A major mishap was averted today after a boat carrying four Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members and several cameramen during an election rally overturned, causing everyone an impromptu dip in the freezing waters of Srinagar's Dal Lake.
All passengers were safely rescued soon after the incident by locals, personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and police.
The rally was led by BJP Parliamentarian Anurag Thakur and included the party’s national general-secretary Tarun Chugh. BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain told Indian news channel NDTV, "There were many members of the media on the boat. Thankfully everyone is safe. It was a very good rally at Dal Lake. The boat capsized when it reached the shore."
Though many are grateful that everyone is safe, netizens didn’t leave this opportunity and took a jibe at the BJP party and its election symbol lotus.
Some leaked scenes of Titanic 2..#DalLakepic.twitter.com/jIPnszTR1v
Shit ! Dal has to be SANITISED now 😂😂😝😝 #Dallake#jndk#Kashmirhttps://t.co/JA2v717LxD
The incident coincided with the sixth phase of the DDC elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The maiden DDC elections, to be conducted in eight phases, commenced on 28 November and will continue until 19 December. The counting of votes is slated to take place on 22 December. The elected DDC will then work jointly with District Planning Committee and Block Development Councils for major developments in Jammu and Kashnir.