Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa To Quit Amid Row Over Suicide Of Contractor
New Delhi:
Karnataka minister KS Eshwarappa, caught in a huge controversy following allegations of corruption and a role in the suicide of a contractor, said he will step down from his post tomorrow evening. “Tomorrow I’m handing over the resignation letter to the Chief Minister. I thank you all for co-operation,” he told reporters. “I decided to resign because I don’t want to put in an uncomfortable situation those who helped me rise to this position, such as seniors in the party, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, and our national leaders,” he added.
Mr Eshwarappa’s declaration came hours after Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai assured his continuing as part of the cabinet. The decision, he told NDTV in an exclusive interview, will depend on the outcome of the preliminary inquiry. Mr. Eshwarappa was also not willing to step down, and expressly told reporters that if “they are asking for my resignation, I won’t give one”.
Sources, however, said the BJP high command had given clear cut directions to the state that Mr. Eshwarappa must step down to save the party’s anti-corruption image. Contractor Santhosh Patil, who made the corruption allegations against him in his last WhatsApp messages to friends and political leaders, had reportedly marked them to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well.
The controversy has given the state’s opposition Congress a strong handle against the ruling BJP ahead of the assembly elections that are due by May 2023. Congress has demanded not only Mr Eshwarappa’s resignation but also his arrest over the corruption case.
The party has also said all such corruption allegations need a thorough investigation.
It is not yet known whether legal action will be taken against Mr Eshwarappa in view of the corruption allegations. He has already been named in the police case filed over the suicide of Santhosh Patil.
The contractor, who died on Tuesday, has accused Mr Eashwarappa, who handles the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj portfolio, has named the minister in his last phone messages, saying he was “solely responsible” for his death.
