The political hullabalo of the day broke out in Karnataka today over the scandalous video showing former PM HD Deve Gowda's grandson and suspended JD(S) leader Prajwal Revanna indulging in sexually derogatory behavior and ill-treatment of women.
Allegations of an explicit video that surfaced yesterday in which Prajwal Revanna is said to have sexually harassed and ill-treated women has sent shockwaves through Karnataka's political potpourri just a week before the Lok Sabha elections.
Sources have reported that Prajwal Revanna, the sitting MP and NDA candidate for the Hassan Lok Sabha seat, who had sought time to meet with the Special Investigation Team (SIT), is likely to touch down in Bengaluru tomorrow night.
Despite his request, the SIT is yet to respond, and Prajwal Revanna was expected to touch down in Bengaluru from Frankfurt this evening.
In yet another dramatic turn, the former driver of Prajwal Revanna, who is said to have transferred the pen-drive containing the incriminating videos to BJP leader Devaraje Gowda, went missing after receiving a notice from the SIT.
Driver Karthik, who has been working for Prajwal Revanna for 13 years, had last year fallen out with the latter over an alleged land deal.
Murmurs are emerging that influential circles might be behind the abduction of the driver, indirectly referring to Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar. He asked for whom Karthik had flown to Malaysia.
In response to questions from the media, Deputy CM Shivakumar retorted, suggesting that Kumaraswamy might be aware of more facts. He denied involvement in sending Karthik abroad and said he was committed to clean politics.
He urged the focus to be on the main issue rather than diverting it, referring to the release of the pen drive.
For example, after the attack, Ashoka asked the government to step down if it cannot apprehend Prajwal Revanna, Deputy CM Shivakumar urged Ashoka to directly visit the victims along with other BJP leaders to get justice and support.
He further questioned why former PM Deve Gowda and former CM Kumaraswamy, who say they respect women, have not gone to visit the victims to give them the support they should get.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to cancel Prajwal Revanna's diplomatic passport.
On Tuesday, the JD(S) suspended Prajwal Revanna after the Karnataka Congress government formed an SIT to investigate the allegations against him.
On Wednesday, in his first public comment on the issue, Prajwal Revanna expressed confidence that the truth would emerge. He told news channels that he was not available in Bengaluru but promised full cooperation through his legal representative.
In a social media update, Prajwal Revanna told his critics to give him a week's time before he would appear before the SIT.
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