Karnataka Congress leader DK Shivakumar said, “This is the most corrupt government in the country.”
Bangalore:
Senior Karnataka Congress leaders DK Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah were today detained during a protest march demanding the arrest of Minister of State KS Eshwarappa, who refused to resign amid a huge controversy over his alleged role in the suicide of a contractor. Had given. Shri Eshwarappa, the Minister of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, has been named “accused number 1” in the police case by the family of the contractor.
Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, who was involved in the protest, was also taken into custody.
The Congress leaders were marching towards Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s residence when they were stopped by the police and taken into custody.
“We want the law of the land to be respected. This is the most corrupt government in the country. They are trying to save the minister. Even the police is not taking action. Me, Siddaramaiah and Randeep Singh Surjewala met the wife of the contractor. She herself told us that the minister demanded 40% cut money,” Mr. Shivakumar, who is the Karnataka Congress president, told NDTV.
On the minister’s allegation that he did not give written order to the contractor, Mr. Shivakumar said, “Panchayat president himself has admitted. There is evidence of work done by the contractor,” he said.
civil contractor Santosh PatiloThe 41-year-old, who allegedly died by suicide on Tuesday, has accused Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Mr Eshwarappa of demanding “40% cut money” to pay for the works done by him.
Amid growing demand for his resignation, the BJP leader called a press meeting to announce that he was staying. “If they are asking for my resignation, i won’t give one“he insisted.
In his defence, Mr Eshwarappa questioned how the messages on WhatsApp could be treated like suicide notes – no real note was found near the body.
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai even today denied any action against the minister till the completion of the preliminary inquiry. “There is no interference of the (BJP) high command on this issue, they have only received information, they have no role in it. As I have said for the first time, action will be taken on the basis of preliminary inquiry, let there be preliminary inquiry. ,” Mr Bommai said in response to a question about the BJP high command’s decision on Eshwarappa’s future as a minister.
Santosh Patil was also reportedly given work orders verbally by the minister for construction of roads in rural areas. The cost of the project was around ₹4 crore, and he had borrowed heavily to complete the project – he even sold his wife’s jewellery.
But after 18 months he did not get even a single rupee. In his last messages, he requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to take care of his wife and nine-month-old child.
For the BJP, it is a politically damaging affair, given that Santosh Patil has reportedly written letters to PM Modi and Mr Bommai for the “40% cut money” allegedly demanded by the minister and his aides. had complained about.
The opposition Congress has demanded not only the minister’s resignation but also his arrest for suicide. Congress leaders took the demands to the Governor.
“It was murder, not suicide. If BJP feels ashamed, they will immediately arrest the minister,” Shivakumar said.