HDK and DKS spar over case

The alleged sex scandal involving JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna has sparked yet another round of war of words between Deputy Chief Minister and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar and JD(S) State president and former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.

Speaking in Hubballi, Mr. Kumaraswamy accused Mr. Shivakumar of being involved in circulating the sex videos and sought to know why the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was being dragged into the controversy. He said a “conspiracy was being hatched to defame the Deve Gowda family”. Mr. Kumaraswamy also alleged that the pen drive had been deliberately leaked to defeat the BJPJD(S) coalition.

Reacting strongly, Mr. Shivakumar said he “does not blackmail others with pen drives and CDs” like Mr. Kumaraswamy. “I ‹ght my ‹ghts directly and I don’t blackmail with pen drives and CDs like Kumaraswamy,” he said.

Asked about Mr. Kumaraswamy’s statement that he was behind the pen drive case, the KPCC chief said, “H.D. Revanna himself has admitted that the video clips are old ones. BJP leader Devaraje Gowda had written to the BJP State and national leaders about this case. He has spoken to the media about it. Where am I in all this?”

Asked about Mr. Devaraje Gowda’s statement that Mr. Shivakumar and MP D.K. Suresh were aware of the pen drive, he said, “Mr. Devaraje Gowda has said that his driver informed him about it ... This issue is about women. As per the information I have, it is about 200-300 women and their families, including party workers. There were murmurs about the pen drive for some time and I had heard them as president of a political party.”

Poser to Amit Shah

On the suspension of Mr. Prajwal Revanna from the JD(S), the Congress leader said, “I would like to ask Home Minister Amit Shah if they would like to continue their alliance. On the one hand, the BJP says it respects women but on the other hand, they are continuing their alliance with the JD(S).”