By Dr. Gyan Pathak
Karnataka has ultimately come under a political storm in the midst of the third phase of Lok Sabha election in the country on account of rape of the “Nari Shakti”, a slogan that BJP leadership has been using to attract the women voters of the country. The hypocrisy of the BJP exposed is the latest example of knowingly allying with the rape accused for a perceived political benefit during election. Barring a few BJP leaders, the party’s entire political machinery campaigned for the rapist, and when the entire scandal came into light Union Home Minister said that Congress government in Karnataka was answerable to delay in action. However, pertinent question is who is responsible, if he supported such a candidate despite being informed and warned?
Prajwal Revanna, the grandson of the JD(S) chief HD Deve Gowda, and the son of HD Revanna, was JD(S) candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha Constituency for which election were held in the second phase on April 16. Though he has been a much-defamed person on account of abduction, kidnapping, and raping women, and also for making videos and blackmailing the victims, he was given ticket by the party. In December 2023, it has been reported that the Karnataka BJP leader Devaraje Gowda had written to the Amit Shah raising concerns about Prajwal Revanna and warned that alliance with JD(S) may harm the prospect of BJP, since the Congress could exploit the controversy surrounding Revanna family.
The BJP leaders Devraje Gowda had written, “HD Revanna and his family have indulged themselves in illegal activities such as kidnapping, rape, and other inhuman activities.” He had also mentioned about the sex videos warning, “The Congress party will definitely make use of these videos as a trump card in the election and we cannot imagine the damage and impact.” Despite such a given information, the BJP leadership, went ahead to forge alliance with JD(S), and during the election RSS-BJP machinery campaigned for the candidate who raped numerous women. Who is then responsible for alliance and support to such a defamed person?
Amit Shah can’t say that he had no knowledge of that being the Union Minister of Home of the country. It is well known fact for about a year now, much published and reported in the media. In June 2023, Prajwal Revanna had moved against 86 media outlets and three individuals, and got injunction from the court against publication of news regarding the scandal. He had claimed that news were fake and sex videos were doctored.
Union Minister of Home Amit Shah has said today that the BJP stands with “Nari Shakti” and can’t tolerate any insult to “Matri Shakti”. He accused the congress for delay in action and said, I want to ask Congress, whose government is there? The government is of Congress Party. Why they have not taken any action till now? We do not have to take action on this as this is a law and order issue of the state, state government has to take action on it.”
Amit Shah, whose party allied with the rape accused during election campaigns, now says, “It is very serious, we cannot tolerate it. We want to ask Congress that despite being in power, why hasn’t the government acted yet? Priyanka (Gandhi) should ask their Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. He was answering to the criticism made by Priyanka Gandhi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the BJP-JD(S) alliance. One can see how Amit Shah avoided answering the responsibility of giving political support by the BJP to the rape accused candidate of its ally.
Now, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy has said that party has decided to suspend Prajwal Revanna, his nephew and Hassan MP who was candidate in this current Lok Sabha election too from that seat.
Karnataka police has recently registered a case against Prajwal and his father HD Revanna on a complaint from a woman who worked in their household. Karnataka government has also formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the allegations. In the meantime, Minister of Home, Karnataka G Parameshwara has warned if Prajwal fled the country, the SIT would be responsible for bringing him back and continuing the investigation.
This episode has shadowed the third phase of election in Karnataka on May 7 when14 Lok Sabha constituencies are scheduled to poll. These are – Chikkodi, Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Raichur, Bidar, Koppal, Bellary, Haveri, Dharwad, Uttar Kannada, Devanagere, and Shimoga. The Prajwal controversy has already impacted the electoral prospect to JD(S), the party which was given three seats by the BJP under seat sharing arrangement. These seats are – Hassan, Mandya, and Kolar.
This controversy is also likely to impact BJP’s political fortune. The party has badly performed in the second phase. It is also likely to impact the party’s prospect in the current phase. BJP had won 25 out of 28 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 election. At a time when PM Narendra Modi and the BJP is trying to return for their third term which 400+ target, it can’t afford losing a single seat. However, the BJP and NDA are set to suffer great losses in Karnataka. People in the state have been fed up with the BJP leadership and voted the party out of power in May 2023 state election. The similar resentment among voters is seen in the state in the current Lok Sabha election too. (IPA Service)
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