The Janata Dal (Secular) on Tuesday suspended Lok Sabha MP and its Hassan candidate Prajwal Revanna from the party over allegations of sexual abuse till the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe ordered by the Karnataka government is underway.
“We have recommended suspension to JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda,” JD(S) core committee president GT Deve Gowda said addressing the media after a meeting of party leaders to take a call on Revanna’s fate in the wake of the video episode.
Prajwal and his father HD Revanna, Holenarasipura MLA and son of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, have been named in a complaint filed by a woman. Prajwal, who is believed to have fled the country soon after the allegations emerged against him, has also been booked after several videos of his alleged misconduct emerged online.
The Karnataka government headed by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah set up an SIT under Additional General of Police Bijay Kumar Singh and comprising IPS officers Suman D Pennekar and Seema Latkar to probe the allegations against Prajwal.
Speaking to the media after the meeting today, former CM HD Kumaraswamy said that Prajwal’s suspension shall remain in effect till the SIT concludes its investigation. “If his role is proven, then he will be suspended permanently,” he said.
“The reason for this decision is that JD(S) will not allow any woman or family to be meted injustice in such an issue. There is a conspiracy to spoil our family’s name using the issue. Their objective is not to protect women. Using this case, by raking H D Deve Gowda’s name and Kumaraswamy’s name repeatedly… what is the connection with Deve Gowda and me?” he added.
Kumaraswamy also took strong exception to the Opposition tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the matter. “On social media, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being tagged. What is the connection between the PM and this case? What is his role?” he asked.