A contractor from Belagavi, who had accused Karnataka minister KS Eshwarappa of demanding 40 per cent commission for a contract, was found dead at a hotel in Udupi on Tuesday. Soon after the news broke, the Congress sought the minister’s resignation. However, Eshwarappa, who is the Minister of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj in the state cabinet led by Chief Minister Basarvaj Bommai, turned down the opposition party’s demand and said “he did not know the deceased”.
The deceased Santosh Patil had earlier accused Eshwarappa of demanding commission on the works done by him. The minister not only denied the allegations but also filed a defamation suit against him.
In his purported WhatsApp message, Patil blamed Eshwarappa for his death. “There is no question of resigning. I will have to wait for the court’s decision in the case filed against Santosh Patil. I make it very clear that I am not at fault anywhere,” Eshwarappa said.
According to the police, Patil’s body was found in a room of the private lodge. His friends were staying next to his room. Patil reportedly sent some messages to some media houses saying that he was dying of suicide and alleged that the minister was responsible for his death.
Eshwarappa reiterated that he did not know Santosh. According to him, on the basis of Santosh’s allegation, the Union Rural Development Ministry had written to the RDPR in Karnataka and the reply was given accordingly.
“It is very clear that I am not wrong. I have sent a notice to him after filing the defamation suit. Now I have come to know through you that he has committed suicide. Apart from this, I do not know anything else,” Eshwarappa he said.
(with inputs from PTI)
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