Contractor's suicide: Karnataka minister reiterates "no quitting"

Shivamogga/Karnataka: Karnataka Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj K.S. Eshwarappa, said Wednesday that there is no question of him quitting. He had fallen into controversy after a contractor committed suicide and held the minister responsible for his death, IANS reported.

Eshwarappa claimed that he had never met the contractor Santhosh K Patil, but photos of him standing with Santhosh have surfaced. Now, the minister and his party, the ruling BJP, are in a fix. He said that he had requested Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai for an investigation, and it would find who was behind the conspiracy plotted against him.

"I am not running away anywhere. I will meet CM Bommai tomorrow or the day after. There is no corruption in the RDPR department. Santhosh Patil had not written any death note. The work has to be allotted after the tender process. Without tender, how can a work order be given? don't Opposition leader Siddaramaiah and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar know?" he questioned.

"I will clarify two things. The death note has emerged in the WhatsApp message. There was no signed death note found. Do we have to release funds for the work done flouting all rules? I have not seen Santhosh Patil and his family members. Party high command has not contacted me over the issue," he said.

"Who sponsored Santhosh Patil's New Delhi trip," Eshwarappa questioned. He lodged a complaint with the Union RDPR ministry. Our department has answered a query by the union ministry. The complaint has also been given to PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. I had consulted the court regarding the matter. After the court issued notice, this incident took place," he explained.

In his message to the media, Belagavi based contractor Santhosh K Patil stated he was committing suicide because Minister Eshwarappa was not releasing funds for Rs 4 core worth projects he had executed. He further alleged that the minister had sought 40 per cent cuts.