In a blistering critique of the Congress, Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the Karnataka government of being aware of the obscene video allegations against suspended JD-S leader Prajwal Revanna for months but deliberately allowed him to escape to ensure Lok Sabha poll voting in Vokkaliga-dominated areas concluded.
In an interview with ANI, Shah held Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, and state Home Minister G Parameshwara accountable for Revanna’s departure. The BJP retaliated against Congress accusations over Revanna leaving the country.
Amit Shah alleged the Congress government strategically delayed action until the first phase of voting on April 26, asserting their responsibility for law and order in Karnataka. He emphasized that the Congress administration’s political calculations led to Revanna’s escape.
A political controversy ensued over Revanna’s departure amid claims by opposition parties that he had traveled to a European country, with Congress and AIMIM suggesting Germany. Prajwal Revanna, an MP from Hassan, is contesting as an NDA candidate. BJP and JD-S have formed an alliance for the Lok Sabha polls in Karnataka.
Revanna faced allegations of sexual harassment on April 28, prompting a case under IPC sections 354A, 354D, 506, and 509. The Karnataka government established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter.
Responding to Congress accusations, Amit Shah refuted claims that BJP would undermine the Constitution with a majority in Lok Sabha, accusing Rahul Gandhi of misleading people out of fear.
Shah assured that BJP wouldn’t tamper with reservations for weaker sections and denounced Congress for allegedly spreading ‘deep fake’ videos to manipulate public perception. Voting for 14 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka occurred on April 26, with the remaining 14 seats scheduled for May 7.