BANGALORE: To be described as a minister caught watching porn on the floor of the assembly is something no politician wants. The BJP strongman from Belgaum, Laxman Savadi, admits he is yet to recover from the shock of being named as an accused in Porngate.

Savadi tells TOI he will now approach the people’s court and expose the truth. Excerpts:

What transpired in the assembly that day? I had just returned from the Upper House to reply to a legislator’s query in the assembly. As the legislator left the house, I took my seat and casually asked what all the fuss was about the alleged rave party (on St Mary’s Island off Udupi). Krishna Palemar gave me his cellphone, saying the rave party was nothing compared to the clip on his phone. I was seeing the clip of a woman dancing, being raped and beheaded and the five youths who killed her being hanged in public. At that point, I was handed a copy of an order on onion prices. My attention was divided between the two. By then Palemar had left the place. Only on returning to my residential quarters did I come to know that my viewing of the clip was on TV.

Do you regret the incident? I have no regret. My conscience is clear. But I’m pained by the media, particularly visual media, reporting it out of context. Not even once did the media point out that the video was a documentary film of an incident in an Islamic country. If they’d said that, it would have been clear that my intention was not wrong. I’m a firm believer in Arooda philosophy (ascetic life preached by Lingayat saint Siddharuda Swami).

How do you respond to those who say viewing that clip in the assembly is a crime? It was not a porn film, it was a documentary. Secondly, I owe an explanation to the people of my constituency and district. I’ll show the clip to all the people in my constituency. Let them decide.

Are you hopeful of a political comeback? On Day 1 itself, I told my party bosses that I would resign my assembly seat. They prevailed upon me and asked me not to resign as an investigation would reveal the truth. I’m not being arrogant, but I’ll win the seat by a thumping margin.

You’re a Yeddyurappa loyalist. Will this incident have any impact on his political prospects? I’m his follower. Naturally, it’ll have an impact on him. Any leader will be worried if his lieutenant is in trouble. But it will certainly not alter my relationship with him nor will he discard me as I haven’t committed any crime.

Do you see any conspiracy? When we’re growing stronger and are loyal to somebody, definitely people will conspire against me.

How have your family and friends reacted to the incident? The damage has been done. My family and I are yet to recover from the shock and agony.