Belagavi. A contractor ended his life on Tuesday and in a suicide note blamed Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K Eshwarappa for the move. Also a BJP worker, Santosh K Patil had WhatsApped a suicide note to media persons, claiming that Minister Eshwarappa was directly responsible for his death and should be punished.
He wrote, “I have taken this decision after putting all my dreams aside. My wife and child should support the Prime Minister, Chief Minister as well as our Lingayat leader BS Yediyurappa. Thank you media friends.”
He further said that his friends have nothing to do with his death.
“I brought him on tour and he is not related,” read his message.
Santosh Patil ended his life by consuming poison in a hotel in Udupi.
Patil was a resident of Badasa village in Belagavi district. He had settled in Belagavi city and worked as a contractor. He is survived by his wife and one and a half year old child.
Responding to the incident, Minister Eshwarappa clarified that there was no question of resigning.
Eshwarappa said, “I don’t know who Santosh Patil is. I have asked Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to investigate the incident.”
Meanwhile, Santosh Patil’s brother Prashant Patil has blamed the ruling BJP government for his brother’s death. “The state government has killed my brother,” he alleged.
Union Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister Giriraj Singh has earlier sought an explanation from Eshwarappa on the allegations leveled by Patil.
Patil had alleged that he was allotted a work worth Rs 4 crore and the funds were not released even after completing it. He further said that Eshwarappa’s aides are demanding 40 per cent cut. Patil also gave an interview to the national media accusing Eshwarappa of corruption.
Eshwarappa had earlier said, L.K. Atiq had sent an explanation clearly stating that neither sanction order nor administrative sanction was given for any such work mentioned by Patil. The road works to be done by the applicant Patil have not been implemented through the Govt. Hence, no funds were raised for the said project.
Minister Eshwarappa had said that there is a conspiracy behind this. Eshwarappa said, “I will tell the Congress leaders who are questioning the issue that work order has not been issued and there is no question of release of grant.”
—AnyTV News
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