Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, who was caught in a sex tape scandal, resigned on Wednesday. According to reports, Jarkiholi has sent his resignation to Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.
“The allegations against me are far from the truth, it has to be investigated at the earliest. Though I’m confident about my innocence, taking moral responsibility I’m resigning my position as the Cabinet Minister. I request you to accept it,” Jarkiholi said in the letter adressed to the Chief Minister.
It may be recalled that an alleged sex tape had surfaced online showing the Karnataka minister in a compromising position with a woman, causing a big embarrassment to the BS Yediyurappa government in the southern state.
The minister in question, Ramesh Jarkiholi, called it a “fake video” and denied any involvement in it.
According to sources, Jarkiholi tendered his resignation after directions from the party high command. BJP national general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Arun Singh is said to have communicated the party’s decision to the state leadership, keeping in mind the upcoming polls in four states and one UT, also panchayat elections in the state.
The alleged sex tape was released by a few news channels in which Jarakiholi was seen in a compromising position with a woman.
“We have seen treachery, vendetta, honeytrap, blackmailing as the motive behind such videos. The truth will come out after an investigation: Karnataka Dy CM CN Ashwath Narayan had said on Ramesh Jarkiholi’s alleged involvement in the sex tape case.
Karnataka Home Minister B Bommai had earlier said, “An inquiry is being conducted as per law. Our Party will take a decision on taking action against him soon.’’
The allegation, just ahead of the Budget session of the state legislature starting from Thursday, had come as a huge embarrassment to the BS Yediyurappa-led BJP government.
There was also huge pressure from the opposition Congress and JD(S) for his immediate resignation. Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Siddaramaiah earlier in the day said, “If that party (BJP) has shame and if they respect human values immediately they have to take his resignation. This is national news, if the government has shame it to take his resignation immediately, and immediately FIR has to be registered.”
Dinesh Kallahalli, a social activist, had on Tuesday lodged a police complaint against Ramesh alleging sexual harassment to a job aspirant and threatening her and the family of dire consequences.
Jarkiholi and his brother and MLA Balachandra Jarkiholi had demanded sought an inquiry into the allegations.
Ramesh Jarkiholi, an MLA from Gokak, who was earlier with Congress, was among the chief architects in causing the downfall of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government that eventually paved the way for the BJP to come to power.