Karnataka BJP chief denies prior knowledge of Prajwal Revanna scandal
Vijayendra Yediyurappa, the president of the Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has refuted allegations that he had prior knowledge about explicit videos involving Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna. The claims were made by his party colleague, Devaraje Gowda, who alleged that he had written to Yediyurappa last year about Revanna's purported sex videos. However, Yediyurappa dismissed these allegations as "patently false," stating that he never received any letter from Gowda.
Why does this story matter?
The JD(S) has been placed in the hall of shame amid the Lok Sabha elections after videos of Revanna sexually assaulting multiple women were leaked. These obscene videos surfaced on social media just two days before the Lok Sabha elections in Haasan, Karnataka, on April 26. While Revanna has been suspended from the party, the BJP, which is in alliance with the JD(S) in Karnataka, is making every effort to distance itself from the scandal.
Yediyurappa accuses Congress leader of delaying scandal release
"No such letter has reached me nor did I have any knowledge of the videos," Yediyurappa wrote on X. The Shikaripura MLA instead alleged that Congress leader and deputy chief minister, DK Shivakumar knew about the sexually explicit videos in advance. He claimed the Congress politician waited until the Lok Sabha elections to leak the videos. "Shivakumar has admitted to knowing about the videos for months but waited to get closer to the elections to make them public," said Yediyurappa.
Yediyurappa questions Congress's delay in investigation
Yediyurappa further questioned why the ruling Congress did not initiate an investigation into Revanna's actions sooner. He pointed out that numerous such videos were being circulated in Hassan, Revanna's constituency. "If he had known about the videos, why didn't the Congress government order investigations immediately? Why wait till the elections?" Yediyurappa asked, highlighting a "delay" in action by the opposition party.
Revanna accused of sexual abuse, leaves India
Meanwhile, Revanna, the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, is reported to have fled to Germany since the sexual harassment allegations surfaced. On Wednesday, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the obscene video case summoned Revanna to appear before it for investigation within 24 hours. The agency has also issued a notice to his father, JD(S) MLA HD Revanna.
