Bengaluru:
BJP stalwart and Karnataka minister KS Eshwarappa, caught in a huge controversy following allegations of corruption and a role in the suicide of a contractor, has resigned from his cabinet post. After a meeting with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai at his residence in Bengaluru, Mr Eshwarappa submitted his resignation.
Mr Eshwarappa has denied any link with the contractor’s death. “This is suicide or a murder. This needs to be probed. There is no mistake of Eshwarappa. The guilty must be found and be punished,” he said.
“If this is murder, then the murderers need to be brought to justice. If there’s even one per cent guilt in this matter, my family goddess will punish me,” he added.
State Ministers Bairati Basavaraj, MTB Nagaraj, Araga Jnanendra and MLA Ramesh Jharkiholi were also present at the Chief Minister’s residence while Eshwarappa tendered his resignation.
While leaving for Bengaluru from his constituency Shivamogga earlier this evening, he had asked his supporters not to worry as he “will be back”. In a massive show of strength, a huge convoy of cars accompanied him as he drove to the capital to resign. In Shivamogga, supporters protested against his “forced resignation”.
“I don’t want to cause any trouble for my seniors and well-wishers in the party. So, I am meeting the Chief Minister in the evening to submit my resignation. I am also confident that I will come out clean.” he told reporters.
He said it is to set a benchmark for the workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who “should feel that they will not get power until they come out clean and innocent”.
“All the workers, MLAs, and leaders across the state are calling and supporting me. They expressed confidence that no BJP worker can commit such a mistake,” Mr Eshwarappa said while adding that he is sure of coming out clean in the “Agni Pariksha”.
