BELAGAVI: The state government is under intense pressure to arrest rural development and panchayat raj minister KS Eshwarappa and expel him from the state cabinet following the suicide of a civil contractor from Belagavi. 

On Monday night, Santosh Patil had sent a message on Whatsapp to several journalists in Belagavi in which he said, “RDPR Minister KS Eshwarappa is directly responsible for my death and he should be punished for it. I am taking the extreme step by ignoring all my personal interests. I request with folded hands to the PM, CM and leaders of my Lingayat community including BS Yediyurappa to extend a helping hand to my wife and child. Many many thanks to the media friends.”

Recently, Santosh Patil had said, in Hindalga Panchayat limits, Belagavi, he initiated 108 road works worth Rs 4 crore only after taking permission from Eshwarappa directly. Eventually, the RDPR Department and associates of Eshwarappa refused to help him get the work orders (orders of the road works he completed) or the bills paid, he added.

After the financers who had loaned Santosh Patil a huge amount started building pressure on him to return the loans, he had written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on March 11 Patil said, “he would have no other option but to commit suicide if his bills and work orders were not released.”

His letter to the PM further states “The associates of the Minister (KS Eshwarappa) are insisting me to pay them “commission”  for the completed works. Honorable sir, I am in great tension and huge pressure from creditors who lent me money on interest. If the payment and the work order are not given to me (by RDPR Department) on an immediate basis, then unwillingly I do not have an option for myself except suicide.”

On the instructions of Eshwarappa on February 12, 2021, Patil had said in the letter to Modi, he took up 108 road works and completed them spending Rs 4 crore. But even after a year of starting the works, the RDPR Department neither paid the bills nor the work orders. In the letter, Patil repeated about the loans he availed to take up the works and the pressure he was facing to clear the money, while requesting the PM to help him get out of the financial crisis.

In Belgavi, Patil’s wife blamed Eshwarappa for her husband’s death while stating that the minister was not fit to stay in his position. She hit out at Eshwarappa for stating that he did not know who Santosh Patil actually was. “My husband met Eshwarappa asking him to help pay the bills and the photos of both of them are there with me. My husband invested a huge amount and worked very hard to complete all the road works on the instructions of Eshwarappa. Now, Eshwarappa claims he does not know who Patil is, she added.

Shocked at the death of Patil, his brother Prashant Patil said, “We will not perform the funeral of Santosh Patil until Eshwarappa is arrested. Eshwarappa is directly responsible for his death. He committed suicide only due to Eshwarappa’s torture. Besides threatening Santosh Patil, Eshwarappa also had registered a case against him. Eshwarappa met Santosh on several occasions and got the works done from the latter,” he alleged.

Recently, Santosh Patil had shared photos of many road works taken up by him and his meetings with Eshwarappa and other leaders.

MANGALURU: Responding to reports that RDPR minister KS Eshwarappa is ready to put down his papers if asked by chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, the latter on Wednesday said he will hold one to one discussion with him later in the day.

Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, the CM said he will talk to Eshwarappa over the phone and also summon him for one-to-one talks. I will try to find out what happened in the run-up to the incidents (suicide and bribery allegations).

To another query, the CM said the investigation will bring out the truth and reiterated that the government will not interfere in the probe.

Karnataka Minister for Primary and Secondary Education B C Nagesh

Vijayapura: Karnataka Minister for Primary and Secondary Education B C Nagesh on Monday said that the answer key for SSLC examination will be released tomorrow.

“The evaluation of the SSLC examination papers should begin from the end of this month, while the results are expected to be released by the second week of May,” he said at a press meet earlier today.

“SSLC examinations have been successfully conducted all over the state. Malpractice was reported from one centre and the student was debarred from writing the exam. There was 98% attendance among freshers. However, a large number of repeaters and private applicants were absent as usual,” he added.

Further, he said that no issues were reported with regard to uniforms and separate rooms were provided for students with health issues. He also said that no student tested positive for Covid-19 during the exam.

Koppal: Villagers in Kanakagiri rounded up BJP MLA Basavaraj Dhadesugur and expressed anger over pending works in the constituency for the past four years.

A video of the incident is going viral across social media platforms wherein the MLA can be seen warning people against shooting the video, while the villagers are seen questioning him on what he has done for the people of the constituency in the last four years.

Party workers had to come to the MLA’s rescue and had to escort him away from the angry villagers.h

Angry villagers gherao BJP MLA from Kanakagiri Basavaraj Dhadesugur and expressed anger over pending works in the constituency for the past four years. Party workers came to the MLA’s rescue as they escorted him away from the angry villagers.

Udupi: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday while replying to a question posed by reporters in Udupi reacted to the reports of a ban on several organisations in the state.

Speaking to reporters during his official visit to Udupi on Monday, reporters questioned the CM about the allegation of the opposition parties that the government has remained silent on the recent hate-inciting incidents in the state.

Replying to the question, the CM said “We know how to handle and manage the situation, and we will do it accordingly. We don’t have to learn anything from those in opposition.”

He further added “When their government was in power, they dropped cases against several organisations which were involved in the killing of Hindu youths. Where was their sense of duty then?”

On a prompted question by reporters, if those organisations will be banned by his government, the CM replied “You will see it for yourself in coming days.”

Although the CM did not specifically name any organisations during his interaction with the media reporters, right-wing Hindutva groups and BJP have repeatedly alleged that the organisations like PFI, SDPI, and others were involved in the killings of Hindu activists and youths in the state.

MP Ananth Kumar Hegde

Bengaluru: MP Ananth Kumar Hegde has reportedly written a letter to Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai asking for an investigation against Mandya’s student named Muskan. During the Hijab controversy in the state, saffron-clad youngsters had surrounded the student in question at Mandya’s college campus to which she had stood her ground. In his letter, the MP has claimed that Muskan had received praises from the leader of Al-Qaeda, and sought an investigation against her in this regard. 

“I have no idea about who the leader of the Al-Qaeda even is, I came to know that he has praised my daughter through the news channels. We do not need praises from people from other countries”, Muskan’s father Hussain told the media. 

Now, MP Ananth Kumar Hegde has demanded that “Regarding the Hijab issue, the student must be investigated to see if she has involvement with unseen hands and banned organizations”, the MP said.

Bengaluru: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa on Monday reacted to the recent hate inciting incidents across the state and added that such incidents should not take place.

Speaking to the media reporters in the city, Yediyurappa added that nobody should disturb the peace and harmony in the state and Muslims should be allowed to live with honor and peace in the state.

“Some miscreants are trying to disturb peace and harmony in the state. CM Bommai has also warned people to not indulge in such activities, even I want to advise people to stay away from such things. We are all a family, don’t disturb anybody, let Muslims live peacefully.” he said.

Parmesh S Jain

Congress has no moral right to protest against price rise.The credit and record for highest price rise in the country goes to Congress,Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

Speaking to media persons he said,the protest by Congress lacks credibility.Replying to a question on protest by PFI students,he said,a committee headed by the Chief Justice is examining the issue and a decision would be taken after getting a report from the committee.

The Chief Minister in response to a question about Ananth Kumar Hegde’s letter about the support extended by Al Qaeda Chief to Mandya student Muskan said,I have no idea about the letter written by Ananth Kumar Hegde.

I will speak to him and seek information about the issue.I will take appropriate action based on that.”

He denied reports of Sumalatha Ambareesh joining BJP.She had come to invite me to her niece’s wedding.We also discussed some developmental works,Bommai said.

Udupi tour

I am heading to Udupi today to participate in a slew of development programmes.Tomorrow I am scheduled to participate in organisational meetings of the party, Bommai said.

Parmesh S Jain

Ours is a government formed according to the Constitution.We are working with the spirit of law, order and equality.

There is no problem in spreading one’s thoughts. But the government will not tolerate if one takes law into one’s hands or indulges in violence.This message has been sent very clearly, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

Speaking to media persons at the Udupi helipad Bommai said,our government is functioning according to the laws.It is our duty to protect the law.

Replying to a question about Hindu Task Force being formed in Mangaluru against Love Jihad, Bommai said,there are laws to deal with everything.

Some of these laws were passed by the previous governments.We are not formulating any new rules.

Our work should speak

Reacting to opposition’s charge that the Chief Minister has turned dumb for the developments happening in the State, Bommai said,my actions are speaking.We should not speak. Our work should speak.

We know what decisions should be taken and what action to be taken at what time.I need not learn any lessons from them.

These are the people who dropped cases at the government level against those who were facing direct charges of murder.Where was their duty consciousness then?”Bommai asked.

Ours is a peaceful progressive State.We know how to protect this State.We will show it through our deeds,Bommai said.

Replying to a question about Siddaramaiah’s statement,Bommai said,many Hindu youth were killed during his tenure as the Chief Minister.

He withdrew the cases against the outfits which were accused of having a role in them.Had he lost his senses then?Bommai said.

When asked whether he would ban these outfits, Bommai just said,you will see it in the coming days.

Parmesh S Jain

Beach Tourism and Temple Tourism will see huge development in the coming days.A representation has been made to the Centre for changes in CRZ regulations for development of tourism in the coastal region.

We have received an appropriate response,Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Dr.VS Acharya Bus Station built by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation.

Priority for comprehensive development of Udupi district

Comprehensive development of Udupi district is a priority objective for the State government. Work has started on construction of 250 bed hospital.

A medical college and hospital under the PPP model would also come up in the coming day. Approval has been given for drinking water and underground drainage projects. Fishing and tourism too would get a boost, Bommai said.

The Chief Minister lauded the honesty of late VS Acharya in public life. He was an ideal for others to show that one can function honestly in public life, Bommai said.

Transport minister Sriramulu,minister’s S Angara, Kota Srinivasa Poojari and others were present.