Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj K.S. Eshwarappa ruled out submitting his resignation contending that he had done no wrong.
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, where he was attending an organisational meeting of the BJP, Mr. Eshwarappa said he was neither aware of Santosh K. Patil nor had any contract been given to him by the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj. The Principal Secretary of his department had clarified that no contract had been given to Patil and the question of making payment to him did not arise, he said. Mr. Eshwarappa said he had filed a defamation case and a notice was also issued to Patil.
Answering a query on the photographs of Patil with him, Mr. Eshwarappa said anybody can stand next to him and take photographs. When his attention was drawn to Patil holding him responsible for his death, Mr. Eshwarappa said Patil should have faced the case in the court.
