‘Unfair to say BJP high command was aware of Prajwal Revanna case… Or why would we let him contest?’: Karnataka BJP chief

With 14 of Karnataka’s 28 Lok Sabha constituencies having gone to polls on April 26, state BJP president B Y Vijayendra, 48, claims that the party is heading for a victory and that there would be “turmoil” in the ruling Congress in the state following the elections. In an interview with The India Express in the midst of his campaign, Vijayendra — state BJP stalwart B S Yediyurappa’s younger son and first-time MLA from Shikaripura – speaks on various issues including the alleged sex abuse case involving JD(S) MP and ex-Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda’s grandson Prajwal Revanna as well as the BJP-JD(S) alliance. Excerpts:

I have had discussions with the heads of all our party district units. We are confident of winning seats in all the places. In Bengaluru rural, Dr C N Manjunath will win with more than 1 lakh margin against sitting Congress MP D K Suresh. Even in constituencies where we considered 50:50 chances (vis-a-vis the Congress), we have managed to do well.

With regard to BJP and JD(S), the alliance was one of the best decisions taken. It will help both BJP and JD(S). Yes, there were minor issues related to supporting each other’s campaign or otherwise, but overall it has gone well. This alliance has helped us to consolidate BJP and JD(S) votes in many constituencies which is going to help us to win.

Let me make it clear from BJP’s point of view that nobody can support this case. I am not aware of the letter that Devaraje Gowda claims to have written. I have not received any such letter. I don’t think the BJP national leadership was aware of this development. It is unfair to say that the BJP high command was aware of it. If we were aware, where is the question of allowing him (Prajwal) to contest (as the alliance’s