K.S. Eshwarappa’s fate to be decided after probe into death of contractor: Karnataka BJP chief Nalin Kumar Kateel

BJP leader says the government and the party will take note of the views expressed by the family members of contractor Santosh Patil and take an appropriate decision

Dakshina Kannada MP and Karnataka BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel | Photo Credit: MANJUNATH HS

Amidst calls for resignation of Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj K S Eshwarappa in the wake of contractor Santosh Patil’s suicide, BJP’s State unit president Nalin Kumar Kateel said a decision will be taken only after the inquiry is completed.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru on April 13, Mr. Kateel said the BJP government is committed to an inquiry. “We will order an inquiry,” he said while adding that Mr. Eshwarappa too favours a probe.

After the inquiry is conducted and a report is submitted, action will be taken against the accused ‘however big he may be’.

When his attention was drawn to the resignation of former Minister K J George from the Siddaramaiah-led government following the suicide of Deputy Superintendent of Police M K Ganapathy, Mr. Kateel said there is a difference in the contractor’s suicide case. Ganapathy had given a statement on video before his body was found, the BJP leader argued.

Mr. Kateel also pointed out that Mr. George had resigned several months later while adding that the government will soon order a probe.

When his attention was drawn to Santosh Patil’s family members demanding Mr. Eshwarappa’s resignation to facilitate a fair probe, the BJP leader said the government and the party will take note of the views expressed by the family members and take an appropriate decision.

Reacting to the opposition Congress submitting a petition to Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot seeking Mr. Eshwarappa’s removal from the Cabinet, Mr. Kateel said the opposition is blowing a minor issue out of proportion. Ever since the BJP government came to power in Karnataka, the opposition has been seeking the Chief Minister’s resignation. “Their demand for resignation is only a drama,” he said.

Minister for Excise Gopalaiah said Mr. Eshwarappa had become a victim of a deep-rooted conspiracy. “A detailed probe is necessary to unearth the truth,” he said.

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Working President R. Dhruvanarayan and Congress MLAs Anil Chikkamadu and Yathindra Siddaramaiah have sought Mr. Eshwarappa’s resignation.

Mr. Dhruvanarayan said there is a possibility that evidence will be tampered with if Mr. Eshwarappa continues in his post. He said it is unprecedented for a Minister to continue in the post even after an FIR is registered against him.

Demonstrations were held in different parts of Mysuru by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). In a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai that was submitted to Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru, AAP Mysuru district chief Malavika Gubbivani sought the arrest of Mr. Eshwarappa.