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Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday claimed that JD(S) and BJP are shifting the blame on him in the Prajwal Revanna case to control the damage to their alliance.
BJP and the Janata Dal (Secular) allied to fight in the Karnataka Lok Sabha election and have been criticised by the ruling Congress government for still being in alliance with the Janata Dal (Secular) despite knowing about MP Prajwal Revanna's alleged sex scandal. "Devaraje Gowda had contested elections on BJP ticket. He is an active worker of the BJP. The JDS and the BJP are embarrassed with the Prajwal case and hence they are trying to control the damage by shifting the blame on me through Devaraje Gowda," Shivakumar said. "Devaraje Gowda had tried to meet me to discuss the pen drive and internal issues of the BJP, but I could not meet him due to paucity of time. I will share with the media what Devaraje Gowda had tried to discuss with me once I am back in Bengaluru," he added. "Devaraje Gowda had addressed a press conference some time back about the pen drive. He had said in the press conference that he would release the pen drive after holding discussions with the BJP leaders. When it is very evident that Devaraje Gowda and the BJP are behind the release of the pen drive, why are they trying to accuse me? The JDS and BJP leaders are behind this blame-shifting. I am currently travelling and I will give a statement on this once I am back in Bengaluru," he added. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Devaraje Gowda alleged on Monday, that the Karnataka government is trying to bring the name of BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Prajwal Revanna's 'obscene video' case. He also termed the SIT team investigating the case as a "remote-controlled team" of the state government. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Devaraje Gowda said, "Till yesterday evening they (Karnataka government) tried to convince me and came to me with deals. When I didn't accept their deals, the CM called SIT officials to meet. Their agenda is to bring PM Modi's name in this case as JD(S) and BJP have an alliance in the state." "Deputy CM DK Shivakumar also sent me many offers to not release any names from the Congress Govt through LR Shivrame Gowda. I welcome if the government, CM Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar file a defamation case against me. I'll answer in court," he added. Stating that "I am fighting for my life long" against HD Revanna and Prajwal Revanna, but also adding that some "criminal politicians" are using it for other reasons. He added that he initially felt the SIT team would do justice with the case, but when he was called for the second time, he realised this was a "remote-controlled team." "The state government, CM and Deputy CM called senior officials meeting on Sunday, related to Prajwal and HD Revanna case and they have given many instructions," he said. The BJP leader further alleged, "Suman D Pannekar, IPS officer one of the in charge of this case and member of SIT asked me to not to take DK Shivakumar and not to take congress leaders names." BJP leader and advocate Vivek Reddy said that Devaraje Gowda's remarks mean there is an attempt to "suppress the evidence" and demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter. "From what is transpired from advocate Devaraje Gowda's revelations is that there is an effort to ensure that in the pen drive case, big political names are not to be mentioned...There is DK Shivakumar and others whom Devaraje Gowda wanted to mention in the statements so there is an attempt to suppress evidence," he said. "So, we are asking for a CBI inquiry, if not, the High Court may direct an independent agency supervised by a retired high court judge," Reddy added. Prajwal Revanna, the suspended Janata Dal-Secular (JD-S) leader is the incumbent MP from the Hassan constituency. He is seeking re-election as an NDA candidate from the same seat. Polling on the seat was completed on April 26. HD Revanna and his son, Prajwal Revanna are facing a probe by a Special Investigative Team (SIT), constituted by the Karnataka government, over allegations of sexual harassment and criminal intimidation following a complaint by a woman who worked in their household. HD Revanna is under Special Investigation Team (SIT) custody till May 8 in a kidnapping case linked to the "obscene video case", while Prajwal Revanna is in another country. (ANI)
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