Karnataka: A contractor, who had accused BJP Ministers of demanding commission was found dead at a private lodge in Udupi Monday morning.
Karnataka Minister “Responsible for my death ” was Santosh Patil, the contractor’s last message and in his alleged suicide note, he urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, and senior BJP leader YS Yeddyurappa to help his wife and kids after his death.
The contractor, Santosh Patil, had accused the Karnataka Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister KS Eshwarappa’s associates of demanding a 40 percent commission for a contract. He was found dead at a private lodge in Udupi on Monday morning. His friends were staying in a room next to his, the police said that the incident was being probed.
Santosh Patil reportedly sent messages to the media and his friends early this morning, saying that he was going to end his life and alleged that Mr. Eshwarappa was responsible for his death.
In the suicide note, Mr. Patil urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, and senior BJP leader BS Yeddyurappa to help his wife and kids after his death.
“RDPR minister KS Eshwarappa is solely responsible for my death. I am taking this decision, keeping my aspirations aside. I request with folded hands to our prime minister, chief minister, our beloved Lingayat leader BSY and everybody else to extend a helping hand to my wife and kids,” he wrote.
Reacting to Mr Patil’s death, Mr Eshwarappa said he learned about his suicide through media and reiterated that he did not know him.
He turned down the demand of the opposition Congress seeking his resignation over the contractor’s death.
“There is no question of resigning. We have to wait for the verdict of the court in the case I had filed against Santosh Patil. I make it very clear that I am not at fault anywhere,” Mr. Eshwarappa said.
Mr. Eshwarappa in the prior month denied the bribery charges after Mr. Patil wrote a letter to Union Minister Giriraj Singh, accusing his associates of demanding a 40 percent commission in the ₹ 4 crore work he had carried out in Rural Development and Panchayat Raj department.
Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar alleged that it was a “murder, not suicide”. “If the BJP has any shame, they will immediately arrest the minister,” he said, demanding “an immediate time-bound judicial inquiry into the alleged ‘suicide’ of Santosh Patil”.
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi blamed Prime Minister Modi and the Karnataka Chief Minister for being complicit in the contractor’s death, saying that Mr Patil’s pleas to them went unanswered.”BJP’s 40% Commission Govt in Karnataka has claimed the life of their own Karyakarta. The victim’s pleas to the PM went unanswered. PM & CM are complicit.
BJP’s 40% Commission Govt in Karnataka has claimed the life of their own Karyakarta.
The victim’s pleas to the PM went unanswered.
PM & CM are complicit.#BJPCorruptionFiles pic.twitter.com/x6LUJfaQX5
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 12, 2022
Congress demanded an FIR against the Karnataka minister and an independent probe into the incident.
Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Siddaramaiah also blamed the Karnataka BJP for his death.
The death of contractor Santosh Patil is tragic & a result of ‘commission politics’ of @BJP4Karnataka.
My deepest condolences to the family & friends of Santosh Patil. May justice be served for his sacrifice.#MurderByBJPpic.twitter.com/3oJdJ66zoK
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 12, 2022
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the police will conduct a thorough and transparent investigation and ruled out any resignation.
“One thing I want to make clear is that this case will be thoroughly investigated. There will not be any interference or direction from our side. Police will independently investigate the case and truth will come out,” Mr. Bommai said when speaking at a news conference.
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