Mangaluru: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Dakshina Kannada district president Satish Kumpala on Monday announced the expulsion of senior Puttur leader P G Jagannivas Rao from the party, citing his failure to honour an assurance related to a criminal case involving his son. The decision follows allegations that Rao’s son, Shrikrishna J Rao, impregnated a girl after allegedly having sexual relations with her on the pretext of marriage and later abandoned her.
Addressing a press conference, Kumpala said the party had taken a firm stand in the matter and decided to expel Jagannivas Rao for not fulfilling the commitment he had made to the party leadership and the victim’s family.
Allegations against Rao’s son
Shrikrishna J Rao, the son of P G Jagannivas Rao, was accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with his classmate on the promise of marriage and subsequently abandoning her after she became pregnant. The case attracted widespread attention after it was reported that the girl had delivered a child.
Kumpala said that a DNA test was conducted as part of the investigation and the report confirmed that Shrikrishna was the biological father of the child. He added that Shrikrishna has since been released on bail, while the legal process in the case continues.
The case has sparked public debate and political reactions, particularly because of the accused’s family background and the expectations placed on public representatives to uphold ethical standards.
Party action and assurance given
Kumpala said that immediately after learning of the alleged misconduct of Rao’s son, the party leadership issued a notice to Jagannivas Rao and distanced him from party activities. “We made it clear that such incidents are unacceptable and that the party would not tolerate any form of injustice, especially in matters involving women,” he said.
According to Kumpala, Jagannivas Rao had assured the party that if the DNA test established his son’s involvement, he would take the initiative to get the young couple married in Puttur. He added that Rao had conveyed the same assurance to Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai as well.
“Based on this assurance, the party waited for Rao to act in accordance with his commitment,” Kumpala said.
Failure to fulfil promise leads to expulsion
However, Kumpala said Jagannivas Rao failed to fulfil the promise even after the DNA report confirmed Shrikrishna as the father of the child. “Despite repeated reminders and sufficient time, Rao did not take steps to honour his word. This is a serious lapse and reflects a lack of accountability,” he said.
“As he has failed to fulfil his promise, the party has decided to expel him from the BJP with immediate effect,” Kumpala announced.
He added that the decision was taken after due deliberation within the party and keeping in mind the need to send a strong message about accountability and responsibility among party leaders.
BJP claims commitment to justice
Kumpala asserted that the BJP would continue to stand by the victim and ensure that justice is delivered. “Our fight will continue until the victim gets justice. No individual, regardless of position or influence, is above the law or party discipline,” he said.
He stressed that the party does not support any form of exploitation or abuse and that leaders are expected to act responsibly not only in public life but also in personal matters that have social and legal implications.
Political and social implications
The expulsion of a local leader over a personal matter involving his family member is being viewed as a strong internal disciplinary move by the BJP in Dakshina Kannada. Political observers note that the party is attempting to project a message of zero tolerance towards misconduct, particularly in cases involving allegations of sexual exploitation.
At the same time, legal experts have pointed out that while political parties can take disciplinary action based on ethical considerations, the criminal case itself will be decided by the courts based on evidence and due process.
Leaders present at press meet
Former Mangaluru City Corporation Mayor Sudheer Shetty Kannur, along with BJP leaders Vasantha J Poojary and Arun G Shet, were present at the press meet where the expulsion was announced. Party leaders reiterated their support for the district leadership’s decision and said such steps were necessary to maintain public trust.
Conclusion
The expulsion of P G Jagannivas Rao marks a significant development in a case that has drawn attention beyond the legal sphere into the political domain. While the criminal proceedings against his son will continue in court, the BJP’s action underscores the growing pressure on political parties to respond decisively to allegations involving their leaders and their families. The coming weeks are likely to see further legal and political developments as the case progresses.