CM says Gowda sent Prajwal away, Shah blames state government

BENGALURU/YADGIR: The slugfest between Congress and BJP escalated Wednesday over the release of sex clips and the circumstances surrounding Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna 's departure abroad on April 26.

Addressing a public meeting at Devatkal village in Yadgir district, chief minister Siddaramaiah suggested JD(S) supremo and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda facilitated his grandson's travel out of India.

Siddaramaiah's accusations were echoed by his deputy DK Shivakumar and his brother and Bengaluru Rural MP Suresh, who pointed fingers at BJP and former CM HD Kumaraswamy, alleging their involvement in the release of video clips. Union home minister Amit Shah, who was in Hubbali to attend a rally on Wednesday, reiterated that the Congress govt knew about the obscene video but allowed Prajwal to flee as it wanted polling in the Vokkaliga-dominated areas in the state to conclude.

"Whose govt is it in Karnataka? Law and order is their responsibility. They knew about it for months. But they didn't nab him until the voting in the Vokkaliga belt concluded. They let him flee. Karnataka CM, state home minister and deputy CM are responsible for it," he said.

Earlier, Siddaramaiah dismissed Kumaraswamy's allegation that Shivakumar was involved in the dissemination of pen drives containing the sex clips.

"Prajwal's driver Karthik said pen drive was given to a BJP functionary but Kumaraswamy accuses Shivakumar of politics," the CM said.

He also sought to know why Shah gave the BJP-JD(S) alliance ticket for the Hassan Lok Sabha seat to Prajwal. "Why did they give the ticket to the suspect of the sex scandal ? The SIT will investigate transparently," he added.

"Who gave him a visa and at whose behest? you all know," Siddaramaiah said.

Suresh said, "Kumaraswamy can't live without taking Shivakumar's name daily. If we were to release the pen drive, we would have done it before the first phase of elections in Karnataka. Kumaraswamy and BJP leaders were the first to know about this. Kumaraswamy has been giving different statements each day. What is important is not Kumaraswamy's statements but justice to victims of this case."

When asked why BJP functionary Devaraje Gowda was taking Shivakumar's name, Suresh said, "He is trying to protect his political career. The incident has happened in Hassan and Hassan leaders are involved in the release. Kumaraswamy and BJP leaders are behind this."

Meanwhile, Shivakumar said in Yadgir that Kumaraswamy and BJP functionaries must visit the victims of the Hassan sex abuse if they have any respect for women.



Ready for legal battle: Revanna

Former minister HD Revanna, the prime accused in MP Prajwal Revanna’s sex tape case, hosted a large homa at his home in Hassan on Wednesday. Throughout the day, priests were engaged in performing rituals aimed at “warding off adversity” that has affected their family.

Revanna’s deep faith in God, rituals and astrology is well-known. He is often seen holding lemons during public events. In response to the ongoing investigation, Revanna said, “I have the strength to face these conspiracies. I will face it (investigation). There is no need to bother. I did not do anything wrong. I am prepared for any investigation and will fight it in a legal manner.”