K'taka ministers caught watching obscene video in Assembly

In an embarrassment for the BJP, two Karnataka ministers were caught watching obscene content inside the state Assembly. The two ministers are Karnataka Co-operation Minister Laxman Savadi and Karnataka Women and Child Welfare Minister CC Patil.

The ministers were caught watching an obscene video on their phones.

BJP President Nitin Gadkari has sought a report on the two ministers from Karnataka Chief Minister DV Sadananda Gowda and the party's president in Karnataka.

Chief Minister Gowda said that it was for the Speaker to take action against them if they were found guilty.

In a guarded reaction, Gowda said he was yet to learn about the incident and had so far not watched the TV clippings.

However, the ministers have defended their actions saying they were merely trying to find out what a rave party is. Laxman Savadi admitted to watching the footage in the Assembly but ruled out resigning from the ministry.

"Yes it is like a blue film. It was on Minister for Ports Krishna Palemar's mobile. The video clippings had women dancing and they were raped by four men. Palemar told me such things happen abroad in rave parties. Since the House was discussing the Malpe rave party, I watched it," Savadi said.

Savadi went on to say, "Yes I watched it. But I have not committed any crime. It is not on my mobile. Just watching it is not a crime."

On the Opposition Congress and JDS demanding his resignation, he said, "No question of resigning. Such thought is not on my mind."

When reporters questioned his action and also pointed out that carrying mobile phones inside the House has been barred, he said, "I was not speaking on my mobile. But yes, I was watching the clipping. Savadi will not do such acts. I have never done it."

This came after an embarrassed BJP government was defending itself in the Assembly over a rave party.

Participants at a state government-sponsored international music festival were caught taking drugs, and some foreigners even indulged in sexual acts at the festival.

The incidents occurred at a party held in the Malpe coast as part of the music festival.

The Speaker has said that law will take its own course.

Following this, some Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) activists tried to protest outside the ministers' house. But the police prevented them from doing so.

(With additional information from PTI)