Chennai: A day after being charged with abetment to suicide over the death of a contractor in Udupi, Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwarappa announced his decision to step down from his cabinet post. The Minister also said that he would submit his resignation to CM Basavaraj Bommai on Friday.
According to a report on PTI, Eshwarappa in a press meet in Shivamogga on Thursday said, "I have decided to resign from my ministerial position."
The Minister said that he decided to resign since he did not want to put those who helped him to rise in an uncomfortable situation.
He also said that he will submit his resignation to the CM on Friday.
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However, he said, "Even if there is one per cent of my mistake, god will punish me. I am confident that I'll come out clean."
Further, he also expressed gratitude to CM Bommai and his colleagues from the party for their support.
On Friday, Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai said, "State Minister KS Eshwarappa has decided to resign on his own & will tender his resignation today evening. No need for opposition to become an investigation officer or judge as everything will come out after probe"
The announcement of the Minister comes a day after he was named in the FIR over death of Sathosh K Patil, a contractor. On Tuesday, the contractor was found dead at Shambhavi Hotel in Udupi. After his death, the police recovered a suicide note in which he alleged that the Minister and his aide were responsible for his death since they demanded 40% commission in a road laying project in Udupi.
Meanwhile, Congress, who was instrumental in demanding the resignation of the Minister for the death row, has now started to demand the arrest of Eshwarappa as the next step.