This comes as a big blow to BJP amid cases involving Fake Citizenship, Sexual Violence, and Drug Trafficking against its members.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ramesh Jarkiholi has tendered resignation from his post after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman on Wednesday.
Karnataka Minister Jarkiholi was asked to quit by his party leadership. BJP national general secretary in-charge of Karnataka, Arun Singh, is said to have communicated the party’s decision to the state leadership.
Jarkiholi’s resignation has been accepted by Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and it has been sent to Governor Vajubhai Vala for approval.
A purported sex tape showed Karnataka’s Major and Medium Water Resources Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi in a compromising position with a woman.
Jarkiholi in a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, said, “The allegation made on me is far from the truth. An investigation must be done on this issue. As fair investigation should take place, I am resigning on moral grounds. I request you to accept my resignation.”
Karnataka Minister Jagadish Shettar said, “He (Ramesh Jarkiholi) has resigned. Nobody has given any statement or complaint. We have to make a decision.”
A case was registered against Jarkiholi on Tuesday for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman.
Addressing reporters, the complainant Dinesh Kallahalli, who is a social activist, said, “I have lodged a complaint with police, demanding a probe into a sex scandal involving Ramesh Jarkiholi.”
This comes as a big blow to BJP today amid ongoing discontent due to farmers protest and cases involving Fake Citizenship, Sexual Violence, and Drug Trafficking coming to the fore against its members.
Denying the allegations, Jarkiholi had said that he will resign from politics if these allegations are proven true.
Speaking to reporters, the minister said, “I do not even know the woman and the complainant. I am going to meet my high command to convey a clarification about the alleged video. I was in Mysuru and I went to Chamundeshwari Temple. I do not even know about the video because I never spoke to that woman. I will resign from my MLA post and politics if these allegations are proven against me.”