MANGALURU: Alleging that the
BJP has tarnished her image, a woman corporator will file a defamation case against three national and state leaders of the BJP.
Prathibha Kulai on Wednesday said she will file a defamation case against Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union minister for law and justice, and information technology, B S Yeddyurappa, the chief ministerial candidate from the BJP and Shobha Karandlaje, MP, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru on Thursday.
“The BJP, by publishing my photo in its ‘chargesheet’, has tarnished my image beside giving me mental torture. I decided to file a defamation case after a detailed discussion with Police Commissioner T R Suresh,” Prathibha told the media on Wednesday before filing the suit at the civil court here. Advocate
Arun Bangera represents the corporator.
Asked if she would withdraw the case if the BJP leaders apologised to her, she replied in the negative. “I am not going to reconsider my decision. If a national party such as the BJP cannot handle such a thin booklet (chargesheet), will it be able to handle the entire country?,” she said, urging the people not to vote the saffron party in the upcoming Assembly elections and the Lok Sabha polls next year.
The move comes a few days after the BJP released the ‘chargesheet’ against the ruling
Congress government over various issues, including alleged failure in law and order, atrocities against dalits and women, farmers’ suicide and drug mafia.
The chargesheet mentioned that Rajarajeshwari Nagar Congress MLA Muniratna’s followers are accused of assaulting BBMP Laggere ward JD(S) woman corporator
Manjula Narayanaswamy. However, the BJP goofed up by printing the picture of Prathibha instead of Manjula.
Answering questions on the notice the Congress served to her following her interview on a TV channel against a party leader, Prathibha said she was not offended by the high command’s action and that it only sought an explanation from here. “I was served the notice as part of disciplinary action. They sought an explanation from me for not keeping the high command informed before going on air against a party leader. I have answered within seven days. The issue was discussed further,” she said.
