BENGALURU: Suspended JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna’s sexual perversion allegation bodes well for Congress as it looks ahead to second phase polls on May 7 in the aftermath of Hubbari student Neha Hiremas murder We are trying to address this because we want to minimize this. .
Neha’s murder by her stalker Fayaz and the government’s initial response are said to have damaged Congress’s prospects.
The BJP was quick to jump on the issue to rally support for Neha’s family, who belong to the Lingayat community, and has a strong presence in many of the 14 seats that will go to polls on May 7.
Now, with Prajwal’s case, the Congress is trying to damage the Bharatiya Janata Party’s prospects.
The Congress has been targeting the BJP more than the JD(S) over Hassan’s sex tape as the regional party has limited presence in the overall 14 seats.
Of the 14 Lok Sabha segments scheduled to go to polls on May 7, JD(S) MLAs are Bhimanagoda (Rajugodha), Basanagouda Patil (Devarahippargi), Sharangoda Khandakul (Gurmitkar). ), Karenma G. Naik (Devadurga), and Nemiraj Naik (Hagaribommanahalli). ) and Sharada Puriya Naik (Shimoga Rural).
Earlier this week, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi raised the Hassan issue targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a rally in Sedum, Kalaburagi. Congress also sent women leaders to raise the issue ahead of the May 7 vote.
A senior BJP leader denied that Prajwal’s sex tape would have any impact on north Karnataka.
“No matter what Congress tries, Prajwal Revanna is limited to Hassan. Neha’s case and these sex tapes are different. Congress cannot take up the issue of Mr. Prajwal and get votes,” he said. the leader insisted.
Political analyst A Narayana told DH that whether the Congress can benefit politically from the sex tape depends on how well the party can weaponize it.
“There are many other issues in the northern belt. The only point where the Congress can use this as an election issue is to infer that the BJP knew about this scandal before forging an alliance with the JD(S). Now, how well the Congress convinces the people and makes it an election issue will determine how much influence it will have in the second phase of the election,” Narayana explained.
(Information provided by Anagha Deshpande)
(issued April 30, 2024, 23:37 IST)
