Karnataka minister, KS Eshwarappa, embroiled in a huge controversy following allegations of corruption and playing a role in the suicide of a contractor, said he would step down on Friday night. “Tomorrow I will forward my resignation to the Minister. I thank you all for your cooperation,” he told reporters. “I decided to resign because I did not want to put in an uncomfortable situation those who helped me rise to this position, such as party senators, Minister Basavaraj Bommai and our national leaders. “, he added.
Mr Eshwarappa’s statement came hours after Minister Basavaraj Bommai assured him that he would continue to be part of the cabinet. He told NDTV in an exclusive interview the decision will depend on the outcome of the preliminary investigation. Mr Eshwarappa was also unwilling to step down and made it clear to reporters that if “they ask me to resign, I will not resign”.
However, sources said the BJP’s senior commander had given the state clear instructions that Mr Eshwarappa must step down to save the party’s anti-corruption image. Contractor Santhosh Patil, who brought corruption allegations against him in his last WhatsApp messages to friends and political leaders, reported them to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The controversy has prompted the state’s opposition Parliament to take a strong stance against the ruling BJP ahead of the May 2023 assembly elections. The parliament has demanded not only Mr. Eshwarappa’s resignation but also the removal of Mr. Eshwarappa. arrest him for corruption.
The party also said all such allegations of corruption should be thoroughly investigated.
It remains unclear whether legal action will be taken against Mr. Eshwarappa over the corruption allegations. He was named in the police file filed on the suicide of Santhosh Patil.
The contractor, who died on Tuesday, accused Mr Eashwarappa, who was in charge of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, of naming the minister in his last phone messages, saying he was “completely complete”. fully responsible” for his death.
Mr Eshwarappa, he is alleged, asked for a “40% cut” to pay a bill of Rs 4 crore for the work he did for the Rural Development department.
Santosh Patil is said to have been given an oral directive by the minister for a Rs 4 crore project in rural areas of the state. But even after 18 months, he still hasn’t received any money for the work, to get it done, he had to borrow money and even sell his wife’s jewelry.
State power lobbyists have acknowledged that there is an existing culture of commissions, exceeding 40%.
Mr Eshwarappa insists that no work orders have been issued, and therefore, “there is no problem with cutting money”. “(Santhosh) Patil wants to pay with no quota – how is it possible to pay without a work order?” he say.
He also insists he doesn’t know the contractor personally – a statement that raised questions after photos of him with the contractor surfaced on social media.
One of the earliest members of the BJP in Karnataka – the party’s only stronghold in the south – Mr. Eshwarappa was able to win Kuruba votes for the upcoming elections, which has always been the National voting bank. festival. As a member of the Kuruba community, he is also the only leader who can resist the call of the Parliament Siddaramaiah, who is also of the backward class.
