Bengaluru: Home Minister G Parameshwara, took a jab at the central government on Saturday, following the Ministry of External Affairs’ revealed that it had only received the state government’s request to revoke the diplomatic passport of absconding Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna on May 21.
Parameshwara questioned the delay, highlighting Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s earlier letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April seeking the cancellation of the suspended JDS leader’s passport. In response to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s statement that they received the request only on May 21, Parameshwara queried the discrepancy, suggesting a lapse in communication between the PMO and the Ministry of External Affairs.
In a sardonic tone, Parameshwara remarked on the functioning of the central government, implying inefficiency or negligence. He underscored the significance of cancelling Prajwal’s diplomatic passport, noting that it would compel him to return to India, thereby losing his immunity to stay abroad.
Prajwal, the grandson of JD(S) stalwart H D Deve Gowda and the NDA candidate from Hassan Lok Sabha constituency, faces allegations of sexually abusing several women. He reportedly left for Germany on April 27, the day after polling in Hassan, and remains elusive. Interpol has issued a ‘Blue Corner Notice’ to trace him, following a request by the SIT through the CBI. Furthermore, a Special Court for Elected Representatives has issued an arrest warrant against Prajwal, following the SIT’s application.
