‘Resignation not a setback for govt’

Hubballi: Chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday said the resignation of RDPR minister KS Eshwarappa, booked for abetting the suicide of contractor Santosh Patil, can’t be considered a setback for the government. “Eshwarappa is confident about getting a clean chit after the investigation. Then it will be known who will face setbacks and for whom it will be a step forward..,” Bommai told reporters.
On state Congress leaders, who have been sitting on dharna in front of Vidhana Soudha demanding arrest of Eshwarappa, the CM said the opposition must allow a free, fair and thorough investigation instead of seeking to become investigating officers, prosecutors and judges. “Was KJ George arrested by the Congress government in connection with police officer MK Ganapathy’s case? Neither Karnataka police nor CBI arrested him, despite the NDA government at the Centre,” he added.
On whether there was any conspiracy against Eshwarappa, he said it will emerge from the investigation. The CM added police will decide on the arrest of Eshwarappa in connection with Patil’s death. Bommai said Eshwarappa was clear about his decision to resign. Later, the CM unveiled the Aikya Mantap in Gadag in memory of Jagadguru Thontadarya Siddalinga Mahaswamy.