Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge denied the allegations against him, saying that he has no reason to step down despite BJP’s demands for his resignation over the suicide of contractor Sachin Panchal. Addressing the media, Kharge said, “No matter how much you shout, even if you tear your clothes, there is no question of my resignation. If you have any documents, show them.”
He dismissed BJP’s accusations as baseless and questioned their credibility. “What is the Supreme Court for Vijayendra? Is this the Supreme Court to ask for my resignation?” he said. Responding to claims that he distanced himself from Raju Kapanur, Kharge said, “I never said that Raju Kapanur is not my close friend. Raju Kapanur was in the BJP before joining the Congress. He was the president of the BJP SC Morcha.”
The row erupted after the suicide of Sachin Panchal, a young contractor from Bidar, who left behind a death note accusing Raju Kapanur, a close aide of Kharge, of extorting money and threatening him.
Panchal’s death has sparked a political uproar in Karnataka, with the BJP intensifying its demands for a CBI investigation into the case.
Sachin Panchal’s death note alleged that Kapanur had taken more than Rs 15 lakh without awarding a tender and pressured him to pay an additional Rs 1 crore. Panchal also accused Kapanur of plotting the murder of BJP leaders, including MLA Basavaraj Mattimood and Andola Swamiji.
What BJP leaders said
BJP leaders, led by state party president BY Vijayendra, condemned what they call “government-sponsored suicides” and accused Congress government of failing to take action. Vijayendra said, “Sachin’s suicide was a government-sponsored suicide. When the sisters of the deceased went to file a complaint, the police did not bother for 12 hours. It is inexcusable for the police to insult and humiliate the girls.”
BJP has also announced plans for a massive protest in Kalaburgi on January 4 and has demanded the resignation of Priyank Kharge. Vijayendra added, “If God gives him wisdom and the CM orders a CBI investigation, then it will not happen. Otherwise, BJP will besiege Kharge’s house.”
BJP Rajya Sabha member Lahar Singh Siroya said, “While Mallikarjun Kharge is busy saving democracy in Delhi, he is unaware of what his son Priyank Kharge is doing in the ‘Republic of Kalaburagi’.”
What investigation reveals
The police initially hesitated to register an FIR based on the death note, which led to further accusations of bias. After significant pressure from BJP leaders, FIR was registered against Raju Kapanur and his associates.
However, Kapanur countered the allegations, claiming that Panchal was not a licensed contractor and had taken Rs 65 lakh from him fraudulently.
Priyank Kharge said that the allegations are politically motivated. “BJP says it needs a CBI. They are just portraying it as a very big scam. Why are the BJP laying siege? Is there even a single piece of evidence?” he asked.
