Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has responded strongly to allegations involving his family after an FIR was filed against his brother, Gopal Joshi, and others over extortion claims. The case, registered at the Basaveshwaranagar police station in Bengaluru, accuses Gopal Joshi, along with two others, of extorting Rs 2 crore from Devanand Chavan, a former MLA, by allegedly promising a BJP ticket for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
In a press conference held in New Delhi, Pralhad Joshi dismissed the accusations, clarifying that he has no ties to the alleged activities of his brother, and criticised the Congress party for making baseless claims. “I do not have a sister, as mentioned in the case, and Gopal Joshi is my estranged brother. We have been separated for 35 years, and there is no business or social connection between us,” said Joshi, emphasising that any illegal activities must be investigated and prosecuted without bias.
Addressing the media, Joshi stated, “Yesterday, my brother was implicated in an FIR, and today, the Congress has protested, linking my name to this case. They falsely claim that I have a sister involved in this. Let me make it clear—we are four brothers, and one of them has passed away. Gopal Joshi is indeed my brother, but we have had no association for decades. There are no business or financial ties between us, and if Gopal or anyone else has done something wrong, they should face legal action.”
He also pointed out that similar attempts to defame him have been made. “When I was the state president, there were efforts to drag my name into controversies related to Gopal. The court had even restrained any attempt to link me with his actions. There was a clear directive, and it was publicised back in 2012,” he said, reiterating that the case against Gopal has nothing to do with him.
The Union Minister did not hold back in criticising the Congress party, accusing them of “intellectual bankruptcy” and irresponsible behaviour by calling for his arrest without substantiating the claims. “The Congress party is showing extreme intellectual bankruptcy by demanding my arrest. This is political arrogance and a blatant attempt to mislead the public without reviewing the facts. If my brother has done anything illegal, the law should take its course,” Joshi remarked, calling the Congress demands “ridiculous.”
He added, “I have been in public service for over 25 years, and my record has been clean. I have served as Coal Minister, a sector that has been associated with corruption in the past, but I have maintained my integrity. Unlike the claims Congress is making, my record stands untainted.”
The controversy began when a complaint was lodged by Sunita Chauhan, alleging that Gopal Joshi, Vijayalakshmi Joshi, and Ajay Joshi extorted Rs 2 crore from Devanand Chavan, a former MLA from Vijayapur Nagathan Constituency. The complaint claims that the money was taken in exchange for a promise of securing a BJP ticket for Chavan in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.
However, Pralhad Joshi has distanced himself from the case, stressing that he has no connection with the alleged activities and has been estranged from Gopal for many years. “I do not even know who Vijayalakshmi is. This entire episode seems to be a fabrication, and if someone has misused my name, it is up to the investigating agencies to uncover the truth,” he said.
Drawing attention to his political career, Joshi remarked, “In the past, when ‘coal’ was synonymous with corruption, I managed to uphold a clean reputation. Even as Coal Minister, there was no scandal or controversy linked to me. This narrative that Congress is trying to build around me and my family is nothing more than an attempt to defame me without any proof.”
Joshi reiterated that his family and the BJP are not involved in the case, and Gopal Joshi should face legal consequences if proven guilty. “My family, the BJP, and I are not connected to this matter. Gopal Joshi should be held accountable if he engages in illegal activity. There is no leniency from my side,” he stated.
The case against Gopal Joshi and others has allowed the Congress to target Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. Still, the minister’s statements suggest a clear attempt to distance himself from the scandal. His emphasis on transparency and legality and his willingness to allow the law to take its course reflect his confidence in the system and his own clean record.
However, the Congress party has seised on this issue, launching protests and demanding Joshi’s resignation, exhibiting its double standards. While the case unfolds, the political arena remains charged with accusations and counter-accusations, highlighting the volatility of Karnataka’s political landscape as the state inches closer to the assembly by-elections.
As the investigation proceeds, it remains to be seen whether the allegations will stick, or if Pralhad Joshi’s distancing from his brother will be sufficient to preserve his political standing. The coming days will determine a political manoeuvre by the opposition to weaken the BJP’s position ahead of crucial elections.
