Contractor Death: Karnataka Minister Eshwarappa Says No Question Of Resigning, CM For Transparent Probe

Congress has been demanding the arrest of Minister KS Eshwarappa, targeting the Basavaraj Bommai government of the state.

New Delhi: Reacting to the incident of death of a contractor Santosh Patil, RDPR Minister K S Eshwarappa on Tuesday turned down the demand of the opposition to resign from his post.

Hindu Vahini national secretary and contractor Santosh Patil was found dead in a hotel room in Karnataka's Udupi. Congress has been demanding the arrest of Minister KS Eshwarappa, targeting the Basavaraj Bommai government of the state. 

Congress's Karnataka unit president DK Shivakumar demanded registration of a case against KS Eshwarappa under section 302 of IPC saying, "We heard about the death of Santosh Patil, a contractor from Udupi. Everyone knows it's a murder. He died over corruption allegations (he levelled against KS Eshwarappa)... FIR must be filed against Eshwarappa; must be arrested under IPC 302 Sec." 

Eshwarappa not only dismissed the allegations but also filed a defamation suit.

"I had lodged a defamation case against the person who accused me of (corruption)...He should have fought it in the court, I'm nowhere related to his (contractor Santosh Patil's) suicide. I've not met him, there is no question of my resignation," said Eshwarappa.

Eshwarappa dismissed all the allegations levelled against him.

"There is no question of resigning. We have to wait for the verdict of the court in the case I had filed against Santosh Patil. I make it very clear that I am not at fault anywhere," Eshwarappa said.

"It is very clear that I am not wrong. After I filed the defamation suit, a notice has been sent to him. Now I have learnt through you that he has committed suicide. Other than that, I don't know anything else," Eshwarappa added.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai reacted on the death of a contractor Santosh Patil who accused RDPR Minister K S Eshwarappa of corruption, as reported by news agency ANI.

"Action will be taken based on primary report of incident (Contractor who accused BJP minister Eshwarappa of corruption found dead in a lodge in Udupi). Truth will definitely come out. Police will probe matter independently without any interference," said CM Basavaraj.

At the same time, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah demanded the sacking of KS Eshwarappa from the cabinet. 

Siddaramaiah said that Basavaraj Bommai as Chief Minister has failed to take action against his minister KS Eshwarappa who should be sacked from the cabinet.

"Bommai as a CM has failed to take any action against his minister KS Eshwarappa who should be dismissed from the cabinet.. Eshwarappa is responsible for Patil's death.. he must be arrested..Entire state knows Eshwarappa is a corrupt man," said former CM.

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala while addressing the reporters said, "BJP worker Santosh Patil wasn'tspared after he levelled corruption charges against KS Eshwarappa...I'm told he named the minister in suicide note.Eshwarappa must be arrested without delay,or else, we'll have to gherao CM house & demand his resignation too."