Bengaluru: With his family in strife following grandson Prajwal Revanna’s stunning statement on ‘suitcase’ culture dominating in the Janata Dal(S), party supremo H.D. Deve Gowda rushed to douse the flames saying the crisis had blown over as he had asked Prajwal to apologise to his uncle and former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy.
Prajwal, who was upset that the Hunsur Assembly seat in Mysuru he had been eyeing, was handed over to new entrant A.H. Vishwanath on a platter, had hit out at the leadership (read party state president and his uncle Kumaraswamy) with his remark that 'suitcase' or money determined everything in JD(S). Prajwal is the son of Kumaraswamy's brother and MLA, H.D. Revanna.
Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Mr Gowda said he held a meeting with Prajwal who, he claimed, had realised his mistake.
“I told him I would be writing a letter. He said I could issue a notice, if I desired. I advised him to reply to the letter and tender an unconditional apology. I have asked him to meet Kumaraswamy and apologise for the comment,” Mr Gowda said.
Stating that both Nikhil (Kumaraswamy's son) and Prajwal were the same to him, Mr Gowda said, “I told Prajwal he had lost credibility as a promising youth leader. He was responsible for the present situation. He has been going around with some of his friends, who posted these comments on social media. I cannot tolerate indiscipline in the party,” Mr Gowda said.
He downplayed Kumaraswamy going missing for two days after Prajwal made the statement and said he had gone to Singapore for a check-up.
“We have a family friend, Dr Rangappa, in Singapore. He had asked Kumaraswamy to come down and get his health checked,” Mr Gowda explained.
Referring to the violence in Dakshina Kannada district, he said the stand taken by both national parties was wrong and added that his party would organise a peace march from strife-torn Bantwal to Mangaluru.
