Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Jan 1: BJP leader Uday Kumar Shetty has demanded the resignation of minister Priyank Kharge over the Sachin Panchal suicide case and called for a CBI investigation during a press meet held on Monday, January 1.
Uday Kumar Shetty urged the government to provide Rs 1 crore as compensation to Sachin’s family and offer a government job to one of his five sisters to support them in their time of grief.
Addressing the media, he criticized the state government, stating, “Post-independence history has not witnessed such misgovernance. The situation has deteriorated to the extent that people are now afraid to visit government hospitals for childbirth. In Karnataka, Mallikarjun Kharge is the high command, while Priyank Kharge acts as a mini-command. Because Priyank Kharge is the son of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge, chief minister Siddaramaiah and deputy chief minister D K Shivakumar justify his actions.”
Referring to Sachin Panchal’s seven-page suicide note, Uday Kumar remarked, “Recently, Sachin Panchal, a contractor from Bhalki taluk in Bidar district, committed suicide, grabbing headlines not just in Karnataka but across the country. His note revealed harassment and corruption. When someone takes such a drastic step and leaves behind a note, it is unlikely to be baseless. Under the Congress government, cases of suicide linked to harassment by ministers and legislators have been on the rise.”
He further alleged, “Sachin’s death note mentioned a demand for a 5 percent bribe to get a tender approved. It also quoted Raju Kapanur saying, ‘I will not go against Priyank Kharge’s instructions. I have the support of the honorable minister.’”
Drawing comparisons to earlier cases, Uday Kumar added, “The Karnataka police department appears incapable of conducting a fair investigation against the influential Kharge family. Earlier, minister Nagendra was implicated in the Valmiki Corporation scam and resigned. Chief minister Siddaramaiah must similarly ensure the resignation of Priyank Kharge without delay or pretext. When allegations arose, Eshwarappa resigned. During Siddaramaiah’s previous tenure, the suicide of police officer Ganapathi in Madikeri led to the resignation of then home minister George and a subsequent CBI probe. Priyank Kharge should not be an exception.”
He also lauded BJP state president B Y Vijayendra for canceling a scheduled meeting in Delhi to visit Bhalki and gather information about the case. “The BJP is committed to securing justice for Sachin’s family, regardless of who is involved,” Uday Kumar asserted.
District BJP media convener Srinidhi Hegde, district spokesperson Vijay Kumar Udyavar, district chief secretary Reshma Uday Shetty, state mahila morcha president Shilpa G Suvarna, and Shivkumar were present during the press meet.