Karnataka BJP distances itself from MLA facing sexual harassment charges

Even as BJP legislator Renukacharya, who is at the centre of the sexual harassment controversy, dismissed the photographs showing him kissing a nurse as “computer graphic technology”, the BJP leadership decided to keep the scandalized MLA away from all party activities till he comes clean.

BJP’s Karnataka unit President D V Sadananda Gowda said the party has decided not to involve its MLA in any of the party activities till the probe into the sexual harassment charges he is facing is completed.

Sadanand Gowda also pointed out that Renukacharya has already submitted his resignation not only as an MLA, but also as the Chairman of state-run Karnataka Electronics Development Corporation.

Meanwhile, Renukacharya accused nurse Jayalakshmi of technologically manipulating the photographs to project him in poor light.

Speaking to reporters, Renukacharya denied having spent time with the nurse. “She is only trying to tarnish my image and politically finish me by using technology”, he said.

The BJP MLA even recalled that the nurse had given a written statement to Chandra Layout police, which is already investigating the harassment charges, that she is not in possession of any photographs or CD to prove her allegations. “It is upto her to reveal where she got these photographs from. It is a political game plan”, he said.

Renukacharya also denied that he had been threatening the nurse. “Let, he show the proof to substantiate her charges that I have been threatening her”, the BJP MLA said.

Meanwhile, nurse Jayalakshmi’s decision to release the photographs has taken the Bangalore City police by surprise.

When reporters asked Additional Commissioner of Police Bipin Gopalakrishna whether the police can take any action against the nurse for releasing sleazy photographs, he wondered what the police can do when a woman is tarnishing her own image by releasing pictures of her in intimate positions with the MLA.
“The pictures themselves speak and show that she was not forced into it. If there was force and if she can prove that the MLA had advanced further despite her innocence, then the police will book a case against him”, Bipin Gopalakrishna said