NEW DELHI: The Congress Friday accused the BJP of endorsing corruption after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to ex-Karnataka minister Okay S Eshwarappa who was denied a celebration ticket within the upcoming state meeting polls. The Opposition social gathering stated that Prime Minister Modi congratulating Eshwarappa for not rebelling regardless of not being given a ballot ticket “is unacceptable”.
Eshwarappa stepped down as Karnataka’s Rural Development and Panchayati Raj minister in April 2022. This was the fallout of a contractor, Santosh Patil, ending his personal life after accusing Eshwarappa of gathering a 40 per cent fee on public works in Belagavi. A probe later gave Eshwarappa a clear chit.
The former minister had not too long ago conveyed to the BJP’s central management his want to retire from electoral politics however is alleged to have sought the ticket for his son Okay E Kantesh. The social gathering, nevertheless, gave the ticket to Channabasappa overlooking the senior chief’s request. The Congress on Friday stated on Twitter, “This man is accused of demanding 40 per cent commission and was forced to resign over corruption charges after BJP worker Santosh Patil committed suicide.”
“By praising such corrupt leaders, the BJP is sending a clear message that it endorses corruption and illegal activities,” it added. The assault got here after Eshwarappa shared a video of him speaking to Modi in a cellphone name. In the video, the prime minister is heard saying, “You have demonstrated your commitment to the party. I am very happy with you. So, I decided to talk to you.”
PM Modi congratulating BJP chief Eshwarappa for not rebelling regardless of being denied a BJP ticket is unacceptable!
This man is accused of demanding a 40% fee and was pressured to resign over corruption expenses after a BJP employee, Santosh Patil, dedicated suicide.
By praising… pic.twitter.com/8a2xvHqwQe
— Congress (@INCIndia) April 21, 2023
Modi can also be heard saying that he’ll meet Eshwarappa every time he visits poll-bound Karnataka. In reply, Eshwarappa informed the PM that the BJP will win the May 10 meeting polls. This proves the remarks of former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik that “the prime minister has no problem with corruption”, Congress chief Randeep Surjewala stated in Bengaluru.
“It is a sad day for India’s democracy. PM Modi has put his stamp on 40 per cent corruption. He has conveyed that lives don’t matter to the BJP. The PM called up BJP leader Eshwarappa for not rebelling….Eshwarappa is accused of demanding a 40 per cent commission and was forced to resign over corruption charges after BJP worker Santosh Patil committed suicide,” Surjewala stated.
The Congress chief stated, “Today is a day when none less than the prime minister has committed a sacrilegious crime.” He claimed that whereas the prime minister spoke to Eshwarappa, he has not even bothered to talk to Santosh Patil or his members of the family. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera additionally referred to Satyapal Malik’s remarks and stated that it was only for the sake of votes that the prime minister was in search of the help of a pacesetter who was eliminated as a minister.
