Contractor suicide case: Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa to resign tomorrow

Saying that he doesn't want to "embarrass anybody including high command leaders", Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister Eshwarappa said he will hand over his resignation to CM Basavaraj Bommai on Friday

Pic: IANS

Bengarulu: Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister KS Eshwarappa, whose name appeared in the alleged suicide case of contractor Santosh Patil, says that he will hand over his resignation to the Chief Minister tomorrow. Eshwarappa said, "Tomorrow I'm handing over the resignation letter to CM."

"Till now, I was working as a minister in the Basavaraj Bommai government. I'm resigning tomorrow. I have already discussed the same with my leaders. I don't want to embarrass anybody including high command leaders. I thank everyone for their co-operation. Tomorrow, I am handing over my resignation letter to the CM. Let an inquiry be held and let the verdict come. I have hope," Eshwarappa said. Eshwarappa said that he had decided to tender his resignation earlier, but was stopped by his colleagues. "If I have committed any mistake, let god punish me. I am confident of coming out clean from the allegations in the contractor suicide case," he said.

Patil, who committed suicide by consuming poison, in a purported note had reportedly held Eshwarappa directly responsible for his death, alleging that the minister had asked for a 40 per cent commission in a Rs 4 crore project, through his aides. Congress has called for an indefinite strike, demanding the resignation and arrest of Eshwarappa.

Earlier, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had ruled out any action against Eshwarappa, against whom police have booked a case for abetting the suicide of contractor Santosh Patil, until a preliminary inquiry is completed. He said Santosh Patil's suicide case will be thoroughly investigated and the truth will come out, and only based on the preliminary inquiry the government will decide on taking action against Eshwarappa.

"There is no interference of (BJP) high command on this issue, they have only obtained information, they don't have any role in it. As I have said the first time itself, action will be taken based on the preliminary inquiry, let the preliminary inquiry happen," Bommai said in response to a question regarding the BJP high command's decision on Eshwarappa's future as Minister.