JD(S) distances itself from 'obscene video' row involving its MP
What's the story
The Janata Dal (Secular) party has chosen to distance itself from the "obscene videos" controversy involving its MP and grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, Prajwal Revanna. Amid reports that Revanna has fled to Frankfurt, Germany, former Karnataka Chief Minister and Revanna's uncle, HD Kumaraswamy, said if he has gone to another country, the government will bring him back. Kumaraswamy added that the party has nothing to do with the controversy.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Video tapes purportedly depicting Revanna engaging in sexual acts with various women, including a few government employees, circulated in Hassan earlier. These obscene videos surfaced on social media just two days before the Lok Sabha elections in Haasan, Karnataka, on April 26. Revanna has repeatedly denied being involved, adding that the videos circulated were doctored to tarnish his reputation.
Election controversy
SIT probe announced by Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah
On Saturday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the case. The decision came after the chairperson of the Women's Commission submitted a letter to the state government about the matter. In its letter, the State Commission for Women (SCW) alleged that influential politicians sought sexual favors from women and even committed sexual assault.
Parties' stance
BJP distances itself from controversy
Following the formation of the SIT, Revanna filed a complaint on Sunday, saying that the videos being shared are manipulated. In his complaint, the Hassan MP claimed that the tapes were modified and shared to "tarnish his image and poison the minds of voters." Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a JD(S) ally, has distanced itself from this controversy, stating that it had no official comment on either the alleged explicit tape or the formation of an SIT.