Rape accused Prajwal Revanna loses Hassan, Cong’s Shreyas Patel wins

The Hassan Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka has witnessed the rape accused Prajwal Revanna, the sitting MP from the Janata Dal (Secular), is losing to Congress’s Shreyas Patel with a margin of 42,649 votes.

The closely fought election, closely scrutinized for its political undertones and the backdrop of serious allegations against Prajwal, unfolded with Patel securing 49% of the total votes cast, amounting to 6,72,988 votes, while Prajwal managed 46% with 6,30,339 votes. Notably, 8,541 voters opted for the None of the Above (NOTA) option, underscoring the electorate's dissatisfaction.

The defeat marks a significant blow to the JD(S), particularly in light of the scandal surrounding Prajwal, who faced allegations of sexual abuse from multiple women in the weeks leading up to the election. Prajwal's arrest upon returning to India and ongoing interrogation by the Special Investigation Team have further cast a shadow over his political future.

The contest between Prajwal and Patel, scions of powerful political families with a history of rivalry spanning generations, captivated public attention. Prajwal, the grandson of former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, faced off against Patel, whose lineage traces back to the late G Puttaswamy Gowda, a prominent figure in local politics.

Patel's victory has been attributed to a strategic move by the Congress, as his candidacy successfully tapped into the electorate's discontent with Prajwal's alleged misconduct and the JD(S)'s diminishing influence. The loss of the Hassan seat, a stronghold for the JD(S) for seven terms, underscores the party's struggle to maintain relevance in Karnataka's political landscape, exacerbated by its poor performance in the 2023 Assembly elections.

Internal rifts within the JD(S), exemplified by the reluctance of prominent BJP leader Preetham Gowda to campaign for Prajwal despite the alliance between the two parties, have added to the challenges faced by the beleaguered party.