HD Kumaraswamy rakes up 2016 death of Siddaramaiah's son, CM hits back
Bengaluru, May 25: Senior JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday raked up the death of Siddaramaiah's son in a foreign country eight years ago, seeking to know why the Karnataka Chief Minister did not order a probe into it.
The statement drew a sharp reaction from Siddaramaiah, who termed it Kumaraswamy's 'foolishness' to rake up his son's death.
Rakesh Siddaramaiah had died due to multiple organ failure in Belgium on July 30, 2016 during the first tenure of Siddaramaiah as the Chief Minister.
Lashing out at Siddaramaiah for his comment that Hassan JD(S) MP Prajwal Revanna fled the country with the knowledge of his family members, including his grandfather H D Deve Gowda, Kumaraswamy said other than keeping the issue alive, no efforts are being made to bring out the truth in the sexual abuse case.
ALSO READ: K'taka HM Parameshwara takes dig at Centre over plea to cancel Prajwal Revanna's passport
"The Chief Minister's son had also gone abroad and met with an accident. Which event he had gone for? Did he take Siddaramaiah's permission?" Kumaraswamy asked while addressing reporters.
"Why Siddaramaiah did not order a probe into the death of Rakesh? Why was it covered up? Did the CM send him abroad?"
Kumaraswamy also asked the Chief Minister to disclose details of the number of people who had accompanied Rakesh during his foreign trip in 2016.
Kumaraswamy alleged that the Prajwal sexual abuse case was being used to "finish off" his family politically.
Prajwal (33), who is the grandson of JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda and the NDA candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha segment, is facing charges of sexually assaulting several women.
Prajwal reportedly left for Germany on April 27, a day after Hassan went to polls, and is still at large.
A 'Blue Corner Notice' seeking information on his whereabouts has already been issued by Interpol, following a request by the SIT via the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
A Special Court for Elected Representatives issued an arrest warrant against Prajwal, following an application moved by the SIT.
Kumaraswamy said those who circulated the videos featuring Prajwal without blurring the faces of the victims have committed a crime.
He wondered whether the 'mastermind' behind the leak of the explicit videos was aware of the consequences.
In his reaction, Siddaramaiah said, "Rakesh had died eight years ago. It is his foolishness to raise Rakesh's case."
He charged Kumaraswamy with raising Rakesh's death case for political reasons.
"Rakesh Siddaramaiah died in 2016. What is the connection between that case and Prajwal's case? His (Kumaraswamy's) nephew (Prajwal) is a rapist," the CM said.
On Kumaraswamy's allegation that it is crime to circulate and upload the videos online, Siddaramaiah asked under which section of the Indian Penal Code it is an offence.
"I am not saying that sharing videos without blurring the faces of the victims is not an offence, but Kumaraswamy says my son's death is bigger than Prajwal rape case. I want to know under which section of IPC or any criminal law, it (Rakesh's death) is an offence," he added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Will impose 25 per cent tariff on all imports from Canada, Mexico: Trump
Washington (PTI): US President-elect Donald Trump has said that he will impose a 25 per cent tariff on every product coming from Canada and Mexico as one of his first actions after assuming office on January 20.
In a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday, he said the tariff would remain in place till the time borders with Mexico and Canada are closed to prevent illegal immigration into the US.
"As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before. Right now, a Caravan coming from Mexico, composed of thousands of people, seems to be unstoppable in its quest to come through our currently Open Border,” Trump said.
"On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders.
"This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem," he said.
"We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price," Trump said.
