Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Apr 15: State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister K S Eshwarappa has yielded to massive pressure in Contractor Santhosh Patil suicide case and tendered his resignation to chief minister Basavraj Bommai here on Friday, April 15.

Even as state Congress is intensifying protests demanding his arrest, Eshwarappa submitted his resignation amid his wailing and protesting supporters. They raised slogans urging him to drop his move. He took blessings from seer in Chitradurga Math on his way to Bengaluru. Later, he reached CM's residence and tendered his resignation. Bommai also pacified Eshwarappa and reassured him that everything will be alright.

Eshwarappa has announced his resignation on April 14 citing embarassement to his party following the allegations against him.

It may be recalled, Patil, a contractor and BJP leader from Belagavi district of Karnataka alleged that minister Eshwarappa had demanded 40 per cent commission for his work through his aide. Patil ended his life after consuming poison at a lodge in Udupi, it is said.

Patil had reportedly written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union home minister Amit Shah and Union Minister for Panchayat Raj Giriraj Singh accusing Eshwarappa of demanding a 40 per cent cut from him.