From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 3: AICC General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress opposition leader in the assembly Siddaramaiah and KPCC Working President B Ramalinga Reddy visited the residence of the industrialist Pradeep, who committed suicide owing to financial difficulties due to inability allegedly to meet the commission demands of ruling BJP leaders, and consoled his widow and family members.

Speaking to media persons on Tuesday after consoling the bereaved family members of industrialist Pradeep, who had committed suicide blaming BJP MLA and former minister Aravinda Limbavali, the Congress leaders termed Pradeep’s suicide as a murder and demanded that the guilty must be punished, A FIR has already been registered against BJP MLA and five others by the police, who should conduct an impartial inquiry and bring the guilty to justice, the Congress leaders said.

Industrialist Pradeep’s wife and family members are shattered by the death, which is another victim of the ruling BJP’s lust for 40% commission in all government contracts, Surjewala said and pointed out that contractor Santosh Patil, Pradeep and Prasad, who have committed suicide due to the 40% commission scam, are all victims of corruption. Surjewala asked why many of the BJP leaders are party to corruption and commission scams and demanded that those responsible for the deaths of persons must be punished irrespective of their stature or standing in the ruling party.

Siddaramaiah said the suicide note left behind by industrialist Pradeep has named Limbavali, the legislator of the area, and death note mentions the names of 6 persons and has reportedly claimed that the demand for Rs 1.5 crore invested by Pradeep has not been paid and led to the suicide.

There should a thorough and impartial probe, the former Chief Minister said and the immediate arrest of MLA Limbavali is necessary to ensure that evidence is not tampered with. In the past, contractor Santosh Patil had accused former minister K S Eshwarappa for his suicide and the police had given a B report within 3 months. There should not be another B report in this suicide, he said.

The Congress opposition leader along with Hagaribommanahalli MLA Bheema Naik later offered Bagina to the Malavi reservoir in Vijayapura district, which was build when Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister at a cost of Rs 160 crore. The reservoir has filled up for the first time after 50 years.