Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Apr 16: District Congress Committee staged a protest demanding K S Eshwarappa’s arrest, led by former president of KPCC, Dr G Parameshwar, at Martyrs’ Memorial ground Ajjarkad here on Saturday April 16.
G Parameshwar said, “We are demanding the immediate arrest of the first accused in the FIR. But the process is getting delayed. KPCC has decided to hold state-wide protests to pressurize the government to arrest K S Eshwarappa, as his name was mentioned in the death note and he is the prime accused in the case.
“We had agreed to the public’s decision in the earlier election. We formed a coalition government, but BJP and other parties dismantled it. If Eshwarappa is not arrested, it will prove that the BJP government is encouraging such kinds of act. We have evidence from Santhosh’s suicide. He was a witness to the demand for commission. He came to Udupi, the land of Lord Krishna to seek justice. He was not able to tolerate depression,” he said.
On the rising inflation, he said, “They hiking the prices of petroleum products quite often now. As a result, the prices of daily commodities are also increasing. People are facing difficulties in life due to unemployment,” he said.
MLC Manjunath Bhandary said, “Earlier, the BJP called the Congress a 10% commission government. Now the BJP workers themselves have claimed that the BJP is a 40% commission government. Not only Santhosh Patil but also the contractors’ association president alleged that Eshwarappa is pressurizing for commission. Hence, this issue has to be taken seriously and justice must be made.
“The KPCC submitted the appeal to the Governor to conduct fair probe into the case. Eshwarappa resigned from his post after the opposition party’s protest. It means, he agreed about the mistake he has committed. There is law in the nation and all are equal before law.
“According to the FIR, Eshwarappa is the A1and police have not arrested him until now. There may be a chance of destroying the evidence. Hence, Eshwarappa should be arrested immediately. There should be a probe. Santhosh’s family should get justice at the earliest,” he said.
A protest march was carried out from Thriveni circle, passed through K M Marg-Old Diana Circle-PPC-Court Road which culminated at Martyrs’ Memorial ground in Ajjarkad.
Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, president, District Congress Committee Udupi, Ramesh Kanchan, president, block Congress, Gopal Poojary, former MLA Byndoor, Amrith Shenoy, former minister Vinay Kumar Sorake, Naveenchandra Shetty, Deepak Kotian, Harish Kini, Veronica Cornelio, Kripa Alva, Padavathi , M A Gafoor and others were present.