JD(S) Plans to Suspend Deve Gowda’s Grandson Due to Sex Scandal: HD Kumaraswamy

The former chief minister sought to distance JD(S)’s alliance partner BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the case amid attacks by the ruling Congress seeking their response. Ms Prajwal is the BJP-JD(S) alliance candidate for the Lok Sabha election from Hassan constituency, which went to the polls on Friday.

“A decision was already made. Tomorrow it is to be recommended at the core committee meeting in Hubballi.

Because he (Prajwal) is a Member of Parliament, it has to be done from Delhi. So I had requested Deve Gowda (JD(S) National President and former PM).

Neither he (Gowda) nor I were aware of this issue,” Mr Kumaraswamy claimed. The 33-year-old Prajwal Revanna is the son of HD Revanna, former Prime Minister and JD(S) patriarch HD Deve Gowda’s elder son who is an MLA and former minister.

Many explicit video clips allegedly involving Prajwal Revanna sexually abusing several women started making the rounds in Hassan in recent days. The government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged sex scandal involving the MP.

Mr Kumaraswamy said that in his opinion, along with the SIT investigating the sexual abuse allegations against Prajwal Revanna, what also needs to be inquired into is where the pen-drives (containing alleged explicit video clips) were created and who circulated it in large numbers. Earlier in the day, Mr Kumaraswamy said there is no question of defending Prajwal Revanna and that the party would take “merciless action” if the SIT probe proves the charges against the MP.

He also strongly objected to the names of his father Deve Gowda, among other family members, being drawn into the controversy. Stating that such incidents cause embarrassment to the society as a whole, Mr Kumaraswamy said there is no question of defending anyone.

“Wrong is wrong, irrespective of who has committed it.” The police have information that Prajwal has left the country, according to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office, which announced the SIT probe.

On whether there is a political conspiracy behind the leak of the video clips, the JD(S) state chief said, “That is also there. Let’s see.

Let the SIT report come out. Stating that the development will have no impact on the results, Mr Kumaraswamy said, “In Hassan the NDA candidate will win; there is no doubt about it.”

He further said, “He (Prajwal) will win with a good margin. But the developments that have taken place in the last few days have led to state-wide discussion.

*(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed. )*