From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, May 4: Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday demanded to know why the JDS leader H D Kumaraswamy repeatedly changing his stand on the Hassan ‘pen drive’ scandal involving his brother H D Revanna and nephew Prajwal Revanna.
Speaking to media persons near his residence, Shivakumar said: “I know the pen drive scandal involving Hassan JDS MP Prajwal Revanna and his father H D Revanna is a family matter involving JDS supremo H D Deve Gowda and his other son H D Kumaraswamy is a family matter. But it also involves several victims, who were sexually abused and the sexual acts were recorded in videos and pen drives, which have been widely circulated.”
Shivakumar said Kumaraswamy and his family members have been repeatedly changing their stand on the pen drive scandal. “Just consider the statements of Kumaraswamy, who changes his stand every hour and every minute while giving statements. I am surprised why this is happening.”
Responding to Kumaraswamy’s statement that ‘everybody knows what will happen to the issue after May 7’ when Karnataka’s second phase of polling for the 14 Lok Sabha seats will be over.
“Why should we wait till May 7? What is the cause and background of this scandal and should we disclose all details,” he asked and said: “Even the media has been analyzing the fall-out.”
The Deputy Chief Minister referred to Kumaraswamy’s statement that ‘those who eat salt must drink water’ and that ‘their (Prajwal’s and Revanna’s) families and my families are different. We are staying separately’ and wondered why he said that.
Shivakumar said Kumaraswamy had said his family members will not be given tickets and he also said, “Prajwal has committed wrong and he should be pardoned.”
Having issued different statements in recent days, Kumaraswamy is now saying something else.
Shivakumar, who is also KPCC Chief, clarified that the 12 JDS MLAs, who are angry at the pen drive scandal, were not in touch with him.
'Heard about HD Revanna episode in England'
“I categorically say that 12 JDS disgruntled MLAs were not in touch with Congress party. All such claims are false. Nobody is in touch with me. I have not discussed the issue with anybody in JDS. They are spreading lies. I know anybody will be frustrated and angry at the development in which several women were allegedly raped and the incidents were recorded on videos, which have been circulated in pen drives,” he said adding: “I don’t want to discuss about such things and developments in the Gowda family.”
Shivakumar said: “I and Congress party are not bothered if JDS aligns with BJP or merges with BJP. We have nothing to do with that.”
Asked about BJP leader Shivaramegowda’s statement that ‘JDS should be thrown out on BJP-led NDA’, the KPCC Chief said; “He (Shivaramegowda) is in BJP. He is free to say anything about his party and voice his opinions. I am not bothered by it.”
Answering a question on Shivaramegowda’s statement that a similar incident happened in England involving H D Revanna, Shivakumar said: “Yes, I have also heard about that. I also learn that he (Revanna) was asked to vacate the hotel in England. Other than this, I don’t have further details.”
Replying to a question on Revanna not cooperating with the SIT in its investigation, he said: “Home Minister Dr G Parameshwar and SIT will tackle this issue and they will answer. I am busy with elections and am unable to obtain more details.”
Replying to a question on the charge that the pen drive scandal and other issues are coming out as part of the game-plan to secure the leadership of the Vokkaliga community, Shivakumar said: “BJP is spreading all sorts of stories and lies. I don’t want any other leadership as Congress party has made me KPCC President four years ago. I am born in the Vokkaliga community and it is my responsibility to represent and protect the interests of my community. I will do my work and live up to the expectations of the community. That is my role and I don’t want any other leadership.”
Shivakumar said Congress party is poised to win 12 of the 14 Lok Sabha seats in the Second Phase on May 7. “I will be able to give more details after the polling.”