Who Is Prajwal Revanna? JD(S) Scion Embroiled In 'Sex Scandal' Prompting Political Slugfest In Karnataka

Prajwal Revanna Profile: JD(S) scion Prajwal Revanna finds himself embroiled in a serious scandal prompting a fresh slugfest between the Congress and the BJP in Karnataka. Here's all about him.

NSUI members burn a poster of JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna during a protest against his involvement in the alleged sexual abuse case, in Bengaluru, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. ( Image Source :PTI )

JD(S) scion Prajwal Revanna, grandson of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, finds himself embroiled in a serious "sex scandal" as the political scenario in Karnataka heats up with a fresh slugfest between the Congress and the BJP. Prajwal, aged 33, is the NDA candidate for the Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, a stronghold of his family.

Who Is Prajwal Revanna?

Hailing from a prominent political lineage, Prajwal is the son of H D Deve Gowda's elder son, H D Revanna, a former Minister and currently MLA representing Holenarasipur constituency in Hassan district. His uncle, H D Kumaraswamy, serves as the state president of JD(S). Prajwal's active involvement in politics began after completing his mechanical engineering degree from Bangalore Institute of Technology in 2014. Since then, he has risen through the ranks, becoming the youngest state secretary of JD(S) at the age of 29 in November 2019.

His mother, Bhavani Revanna, had served as a member of the Hassan Zila Panchayat. Furthermore, Prajwal's brother, Suraj Revanna, holds the position of Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) from Hassan district.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Prajwal emerged as the sole JD(S) leader to secure victory from the Hassan constituency, a stronghold long associated with his family.

Notably, Prajwal's father held a ministerial position in the cabinet led by Kumaraswamy in the Congress-JD(S) alliance government from 2018 to 2019. 

Last year, the Karnataka High Court had disqualified Prajwal Revanna as the Hassan MP, declaring his election null and void. The decision followed petitions alleging discrepancies in his asset declaration wherein he was accused of withholding information about his assets from the Election Commission.  According to his election affidavit, Prajwal declared assets worth Rs 40.85 crore, a significant increase from 2019. However, allegations surfaced suggesting that he failed to disclose full details of his assets, including alleged illegal properties amassed with overall wealth of Rs 23 crore at the age of 15 years, news agency IANS reported.

JD(S) Suspends Prajwal Revanna Over Alleged Sex Scandal

The JD(S)'s core committee recommended Revanna's suspension to former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, who approved the decision today. The suspension came in the wake of videos purportedly showing Revanna involved in inappropriate behavior towards women.

"Prajwal Revanna's alleged actions have caused immense embarrassment to the party and its leadership," stated the suspension order issued by JD(S), as quoted by news agency PTI. The scandal has led to a blame game, with Revanna's former car driver, Karthik, and BJP leader G Devaraje Gowda accusing each other of leaking the videos.

The allegations prompted the Karnataka government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations. "An FIR has been registered against Prajwal and his father, Revanna, at the Holenarasipura police station," stated Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's office.

Revanna is currently believed to be in Germany.

Political Significance Of Hassan Constituency And BJP-Congress Slugfest

Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, once a stronghold of Deve Gowda himself, has become a battleground where Prajwal's political fate hangs in the balance. With the Congress seizing on the controversy surrounding Prajwal, the fate of the Hassan seat was already sealed before the scandal broke out as polling on this seat took place on April 26.

The Congress has hit out at the BJP alleging that the party leadership was informed about Revanna's misdemeanors yet it formed an alliance with JD(S) later year and went on to field him on the Hassan seat where Prime Minister Narendra Modi campaigned for him. On the other hand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has questioned the Siddaramiah government saying, “The Congress is in power in Karnataka, and this matter must have come to their attention. Why has it not taken any action on it so far? We cannot take any action as law and order is a state issue.” 

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