Bengaluru:   A contractor, who was also a member of the ruling BJP,  allegedly died by suicide at a hotel in Udupi on Tuesday. The deceased, identified as Santosh Patil, has left a death note in a WhatsApp message holding Rural Development Minister KS Eshwarappa responsible for his death.  

According to reports, Santosh Patil had addressed a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi blaming corruption in the government. He had written to PM Modi  alleging that RDPR Minister KS Eeshwarappa was harassing him for a 40 per cent commission for clearing his bills which were pending for a year. Patil had alleged that Eshwarappa was demanding bribe to clear his contract bills.

Opposition Congress has mounted pressure on Eshwarappa,  asking him to step down immediately. 

40% ಸರ್ಕಾರದಿಂದ ಇನ್ನೇನು ನಿರೀಕ್ಷಿಸಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯ?
Contractor Santosh Patil who had made serious charges of corruption against Karnataka RDPR minister KS Eshwarappa commits suicide, he holds Eshwarappa directly responsible for his death as per his death note(WhatsApp msg shared to media) pic.twitter.com/ai77VczbJP

— GC ChandraShekhar (@GCC_MP) April 12, 2022

Karnataka Congress' DK Shivakumar said "We heard about the death of Santosh Patil, a contractor from Udupi. Everyone knows it's a murder. He died over corruption allegations. An FIR must be filed against Eshwarappa; must be arrested under IPC 302 Sec."

Randeep Surjewala, who is in Bengaluru,  BJP worker Santosh Patil wasn't spared after he levelled corruption charges against KS Eshwarappa. I'm told he named the minister in the suicide note. Eshwarappa must be arrested without delay, or else, we'll have to gherao CM house and demand his resignation too.