Kalaburagi (Karnataka) [India], January 4 : Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Council and BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Saturday demanded the resignation of Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge over the alleged suicide of Bidar contractor Sachin Panchal.
Speaking to ANI, Narayanaswamy said, "When the minister's name came into it (Bidar case) he should give the reply. 'Honey trap' is illegal... We filed a complaint in a police station but no action was taken. We will hold a protest today. The minister, Priyank Kharge should resign. We have sent the evidence, the suicide letter that we have to AICC president Malikarjun Kharge, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi, and Karnataka CM."
Karnataka Opposition Leader and BJP leader R Ashoka claimed that suicides are rising across the state because the government is more focused on financial gains than development.
"Sachin is not a single issue. A series of suicides have happened in Karnataka. The Karnataka government is only concerned about money and not development. That is why these suicides are happening. Our protest will start at noon. We will march to the DC office," R Ashoka told ANI.
BJP MLC CT Ravi demanded the resignation of Priyank Kharge and called for a CBI investigation into the alleged suicide of Bidar contractor Sachin Panchal.
"We demand a CBI investigation. Sanchin Panchal mentioned Priyank Kharge's name in the suicide note. How can the state government conduct a fair investigation if the CM and the ministers of state support Priyank Kharge? Priyank should first resign," CT Ravi told ANI.
This came in the wake of the controversy surrounding the alleged suicide of a contractor named Sachin Panchal due to alleged harassment and threats from Minister Priyank Kharge's close aide, Raju Kapanur, as claimed by the BJP.
However, Priyank Kahrge dismissed all the allegations surrounding the issue.
The BJP further alleged that contractors have been facing difficulties under the Congress government in the state. It claimed that financial troubles and stress are driving contractors to die by suicide.