BJP leaders display posters against Minister Priyank Kharge in Kalaburagi on Saturday.
Credit: DH Photo/ Tajuddin Azad
Kalaburagi: BJP leaders launched a tirade against the state government and District In-charge Minister Priyank Kharge. Hordes of party workers, who gathered at Jagat Circle here on Saturday demanding a CBI probe into the suicide case of contractor Sachin Panchal, said that they would not relent until the minister tenders his resignation to ensure a free and fair probe.
Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly R Ashok and Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy alleged that contractors and officials are ending their lives due to corruption in the state government. R Ashok said that incidents of murder, contractors dying by suicide and maternal deaths have occurred during the last 18 months after the Congress government came to power in the state.
“A week has passed since contractor Sachin Panchal’s suicide, but, the main accused Raju Kapanur has not been arrested even after an FIR was registered. BJP leader C T Ravi was immediately arrested when allegations were made against him. K S Eshwarappa also resigned instantly when he faced charges. Is the Congress high command dead as it has not yet demanded Priyank Kharge’s resignation?”, he asked.
‘Hand over case to CBI’
Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar claimed that Priyank Kharge’s name was not mentioned in the seven-page death note written by Sachin Panchal. “Therefore, we have posted the death note to both of them. The case should be handed over to CBI as per the request of the family of the deceased contractor”, he urged.
BJP leader N Ravikumar condemned the special investigative team for giving a clean chit to former minister B Nagendra in connection with the scam in the Karnataka Maharishi Valmiki ST Development Corporation.
Speaking on the occasion, BJP leader C T Ravi said that a few Congress leaders had taken contractor Sachin Panchal to Minister Priyank Kharge to discuss awarding government contracts. Therefore, the resignation of the minister is essential to conduct a thorough investigation, he said.
Former minister N Mahesh, state BJP general secretary P Rajeev, former MP Dr Umesh Jadhav, MLAs Basavaraj Mattimadu, Dr Avinash Jadhav, Dr Shailendra Beldale, Dr Siddalingappa Patil, Sharanu Salgar, Yadgir City Council president Lalitha Anapur, BJP Kalaburagi city unit president Chandu Patil and others were present.