JD (S) ties itself into knots on 'rape' clips

Under pressure from its own MLAs and alliance partner, the BJP, JD(S) is set to suspend Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, who is accused of sexually assaulting several women besides recording obscene videos.

- RAJASHEKARA

A visibly disturbed former chief minister and JD(S) State president HD Kumaraswamy on Monday admitted that his nephew Prajwal's porn clips, which were leaked two days prior to the Hassan Lok Sabha polls, have caused embarrassment not just to family members but to the entire society. It is understood that the JD(S) patriarch Gowda himself has given a go ahead to initiate action against his grandson.

There is also an increasing clamour for action by several MLAs. Already two JD(S) lawmakers, Sharanagouda Kandakur and Samruddi Manjunath, have written letters to the JD(S) president in this respect and asked Kumaraswamy to choose between the "family and the party." Kumaraswamy hinted that action would be initiated against the 33-year-old first time MP who is seeking re-election as NDA candidate, as per law. "I will demand a thorough probe, including one into leak of the sleaze videos," he said.

A JD(S) core committee meeting scheduled to be held in Hubballi on Tuesday to take stock of the electoral situation in the remaining 14 Lok Sabha seats is also likely to discuss the sex tapes that have left the party rank and file embarrassed.

A decision is likely to be taken to suspend him from the party for six years while asking his father, former minister and MLA HD Revanna, also accused of sexually assaulting a former domestic help, to stay away from party activities.