Bengaluru: Congress has intensified its attack on the Basavaraj Bommai government to arrest RDPR minister K.S.Eshwarappa for his alleged involvement in the suicide of civil contractor Santosh Patil.

Resorting day and night dharna in front of Vidhana Soudha, Congress leaders have demanded for arrest of Mr. Eshwarappa in the case.

Came down heavily on Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai for ‘shielding’ wrongdoings of Eshwarappa, KPCC President D.K. Shivakumar said that Chief Minister is committing offence by giving protection to corrupt ministers in his cabinet.

Congress leaders stated that mere resignation of Mr. Eshwarappa not enough since FIR has filed against him, he should be arrested and court-monitored investigation has to be conducted for fair enquiry of the case, Congress leaders demanded.

However, the chief minister Basavaraj Bommai ruled out the arrest of Eshwarappa. He has defended the police action of not arresting Eshwarappa. Mr. Bommai cited the Dy SP Ganapathy suicide case, he said in the Ganapathy suicide case, then Home Minister K.J. George was not arrested despite, the deceased has mentioned George name in the suicide note, Mr. Bommai defended.

Reacting strongly on Chief Minister’s statement, Mr. Shivakumar said that before enquiry was initiated, Chief Minister has given clean chit to Eshwarappa. In such is the situation, how can police do fair enquiry in the matter. Chief Minister’s statement would influence the investigation, Mr. Shivakumar said.

“We will not demand for resignation of Mr. Eshwarappa, it was not our demand. We do request the state government to conduct fair and impartial enquiry. When FIR filed against the accused, he should be arrested in the case”, said Mr. Shivakumar.