Bengaluru: BJP Stalwart and Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa, trapped in a large controversy after allegations of corruption and role in suicide of a contractor, has resigned from his cabinet position. After the meeting with the main minister of Basavaraj Bommai at his residence in Bengaluru, Mr. Esharappa handed over his resignation.
Mr. Esharappa has denied any link with the death of the contractor. “It’s suicide or murder. It needs to be presented. There is no error with Eshwarappa. Guilty must be found and punished,” he said.
“If this is a murder, the killers need to be taken to court. If there is one percent guilt in this matter, my family goddess will punish me,” he added.
The State Minister Bairati Basavaraj, MTB Nagaraj, Araga Jnanendra and Mla Ramesh Jharkiholi were also present at the residence of the Head of Minister of Transportation while Eshwarappa submitted resignation.
While leaving for Bengalaru from his constituency Shivamogga tonight, he asked his supporters not to worry because he “will return”. In a massive performance, a large convoy of cars accompanied him as he went to the capital to resign. In Shivamogga, supporters protested against “forced resignation”.
“I don’t want to cause a problem for my seniors and pleasure at the party. So, I met the main minister at night to hand over my resignation. I am also sure that I will come out.” He told reporters.
He said he would set a benchmark for Bharatiya Janata’s party workers, who “must feel that they will not get strength until they come out clean and innocent”.
“All workers, MLA, and leaders throughout the country called and supported me. They expressed confidence that no BJP workers who made such mistakes,” Eshwarappa said while adding that he was sure to come out at “Agni Pariksha”.
Because asked about the allegations of the MLA Priyank Kharge Congress from others who were too involved in the ‘40% money scandal, Mr. Eshwarappa said, “Why isn’t he (Mr. Kharge) even one of the people behind this scandal?”
Santhos’s Patil contractor, who died on Tuesday, accused Mr. Eashwarappa, who handled the rural development and the Panchayat Portfolio of Raj, and had named the minister in his final telephone message, said he was “fully responsible” for his death. In the last WHATSAPP message to friends and political leaders, he reportedly marked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi too.
Mr. Eshwarappa, he accused, demanding “40 percent cut money” to clean the crore bill ₹ 4 for the work he had done for the rural development department.
Santosh Patil was reported to have been given oral instructions by the Minister for the project ₹ 4-crore in the country’s countryside. But even after 18 months, he had not received payment for the job, to finish it, he had to borrow money and even sold his wife’s jewelry.
The strong contractor lobbies state have recognized that there is a commission culture that exists, which runs far more than 40 percent.