Even as there is huge uproar, protest by people against crimes on women and rise of rapes against children, women, BJP has decided to field two former ministers, who were caught allegedly watching ‘adult content’ inside the Karnataka Assembly back in 2012, in the 2018 general elections. The move by BJP has surprised and shocked many activists who have been fighting for women safety and waging war against crimes on women.
Much to the dismay of public, back in 2012, then Cooperation minister Laxman Savadi was caught watching adult content on his mobile phone while the Assembly session was going on. Then Environment and Ports minister J Krishna Palemar and Women and Child Welfare Minister CC Patil had also joined Laxman. This shocking incident had led to national outrage and BJP was left embarrassed. All three of them were made to resign then.
Now, after six years, by giving tickets to two among the three in the current elections, BJP has been in the spotlight. While CC Patil is contesting on BJP ticket from Nargund Assembly constituency, Laxman Savadi is contesting from Athani constituency.
A farmers’ leader, Laxman Savadi of the BJP has good support among voters despite being caught watching pornography in the state assembly. He had won seven of the eight elections. Laxman is all set to contest his fifth election in Athani. Yet, BJP banking on Laxman has invited ire of a section of people who have been seeking women safety. Among the three who were caught watching adult content in Assembly, only Palemar has been left out by the BJP.