From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Apr 15: The State Congress leaders, who have been sitting on dharna in front of Vidhana Soudha demanding arrest and dismissal of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister KS Eshwarappa over the suicide of contractor Santhosh Patil in Udupi, must allow a free, fair and thorough investigation instead of seeking to become investigating officers, prosecutors and judges, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said on Friday.
Speaking to reporters in Hubballi, he attacked the KPCC Chief DK Shivakumar, Congress Opposition leaders Siddaramaiah, BK Hariprasad and others for targeting Eshwarappa and demanding his arrest even after the latter’s offer to quit is ‘’shocking and irresponsible.’’
Responding to questions over the demands of opposition parties for the arrest of Eshwarappa ‘merely because of a WhatsApp message’ from the deceased contractor is ‘’not correct,’’ he said and appealed to the opposition parties to allow the police to do their work.
The Chief Minister reminded the Congress opposition leaders that when a similar incident occurred with the then DySP Ganapathy committing suicide and blaming the then Home Minister KJ George for the suicide the minister was not arrested.
“The Congress party was in power and neither the police nor the CBI arrested George in the Ganapathy suicide case. Let the police complete the investigation and decide what to do and when. Why are the Congress leaders so anxious to get Eshwarappa arrested? Let the truth come out after investigation,’’ Bommai said.
The Chief Minister contended that ‘there is no question of setback or embarrassment for the party due to the resignation of Eshwarappa. He is confident of coming out clean after the investigation’ and added: “There are no personal issues here. The question of setback or advantage does not arise.’’
"Eshwarappa is set to submit his resignation Friday evening. He has clarity about his stand," Bommai said.
Asked if he sees a conspiracy behind the case, Bommai said: “The investigation would go deep into all the dimensions of the case. It would bring out the truth.’’
Later, the Chief Minister unveiled the Aikya Mantap in memory of the Jagadguru Dr Thontadarya Siddalinga Mahaswamy at Gadag.
State Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj Horatti, Ministers CC Patil and BC Patil, MP Shivakumar Udasi, MLA Kalakappa Bandi, MLC SV Sankanur, ex-minister SS Patil and others were present.