Eshwarappa rules out resignation; says no contract was awarded

Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj K.S. Eshwarappa ruled out submitting his resignation contending that he had done no wrong.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, where he was attending an organisational meeting of the BJP, Mr. Eshwarappa said he was neither aware of Santosh K. Patil nor had any contract been given to him by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj. The Principal Secretary of his department had clarified that no contract had been given to Patil and the question of making payment to him did not arise, he said. Mr. Eshwarappa said he had filed a defamation case and a notice was also issued to Patil.

Answering a query on the photographs of Patil with him, Mr. Eshwarappa said anybody can stand next to him and take photographs. When his attention was drawn to Patil holding him responsible for his death, Mr. Eshwarappa said Patil should have faced the case in the court.

Mr. Eshwarappa said he had spoken to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and urged him to hold an inquiry into the episode. “If he has taken my name, an inquiry should be held to clear it,” he said.

Speaking at Mangaluru, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai told reporters that an investigation is being conducted into the incident. He said the Government will not interfere in the investigation. Police have been given a free hand to probe the incident. An FSL team from Mangaluru has been sent to Udupi, he said.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra at Shivamogga said the police would hold an impartial investigation. Mr. Eshwarappa’s role, if any, would come out only after a proper investigation. Regarding the death note, in which Patil allegedly blamed Mr. Eshwarappa for his death, Mr. Jnanendra said he was not aware of it. “He has left a message on WhatsApp. The police will look into it it,” he said.