Bengaluru: The Karnataka unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified its call for the resignation of Priyank Kharge, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, following allegations linked to the suicide of civil contractor Sachin Panchal. As part of its protest, the BJP reportedly couriered Panchal’s suicide note to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge.
The BJP claims the suicide note accuses Raju Kapanur, a rowdy-sheeter and close associate of Priyank Kharge, of cheating Panchal out of ₹15 lakh in a tender-related matter. The note further alleges that Kapanur demanded ₹1 crore and issued death threats, naming four others as accomplices.
Minister Refutes Allegations
Priyank Kharge has strongly denied any connection to Panchal’s death, accusing the BJP of leveraging the tragedy for political gain. Speaking to reporters, Kharge emphasized that his name does not appear in the suicide note and criticized the BJP for making baseless comparisons to earlier incidents.
“There is no comparison between the suicides of Sachin Panchal and Santosh Patil,” Kharge stated, referring to the 2022 death of contractor Santosh Patil, who had accused then BJP minister K.S. Eshwarappa of harassment in a suicide note. “In Panchal’s case, my name is nowhere mentioned, but the BJP is raising a non-issue.”
Kharge also questioned the BJP’s handling of similar cases, asking, “Did the BJP compensate Patil’s family or provide jobs to his kin?” He further pointed to allegations against BJP leader Munirathna, who faces accusations of rape and caste-based slurs, criticizing the party for not taking action.
Incident Details and Political Reactions
Sachin Panchal reportedly died by suicide on December 26 in Bidar district by stepping in front of a moving train. His suicide note implicates Raju Kapanur for pressuring him to pay ₹1 crore and issuing threats. Kapanur has denied the accusations.
Congress leaders have rallied in support of Priyank Kharge, dismissing the BJP’s allegations as politically motivated. While Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have yet to issue formal responses to the BJP’s actions, Congress leaders defended Priyank Kharge as being unfairly targeted.
The incident has further deepened the political divide in Karnataka, with both parties trading accusations over accountability and governance.
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