Karnataka Contractor Death Case: Will Come Out Innocent, Become Minister Again, Says Eshwarappa

As a political row erupted over the allegations against the minister, Eshwarappa on Thursday announced resignation from his current post.

Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister KS Eshwarappa (Image: Twitter/@ikseshwarappa)

New Delhi: Hours before submitting his resignation to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister KS Eshwarappa assured his supporters and party workers that he would come out clean from all the allegations made against him and certainly become a minister once again.

Eshwarappa has been booked in a case for allegedly abetting the suicide of contractor Santosh Patil. He will submit his resignation to the CM later this evening.

"An allegation is being made against me, should I come clear out of it or not?...for me to come clear as innocent, if I continue as Minister when investigation is on, there will be a feeling that I may influence the investigation. So I'm resigning as Minister...I'm telling you that I will come out innocent and will certainly become Minister once again," news agency PTI quoted Eshwarappa as saying.

It is to be noted that as a political row erupted over the allegations against the minister, Eshwarappa on Thursday announced resignation from his current post.

Amid the slogans by his supporters and party workers urging him not to resign, Eshwarappa said, “When I asked them whether I should come out clear from all the allegations or not, they said, I should come out clear...I'm completely confident. From the blessings of our karyakartas (workers), seniors and several swamijis, who have called me. I will come clear out of the conspiracy against me,” adding that he would tender his resignation to CM Bommai this evening.

"I'm confident that I will get justice against the conspirators' allegations, from the love and affection of all these people,” the minister further said as he got emotional on getting the support of leaders like BS Yediyurappa, CM Bommai, other ministers, legislators and party workers.

Notably, Santosh Patil, a Belagavi-based contractor, was found dead in a hotel in Udupi on Tuesday, weeks after accusing Eshwarappa of corruption. In a purported suicide note in the form of a WhatsApp message, Patil blamed Eshwarappa for his death.