Shivamogga, April 13 : Denying his involvement in the death of Belagavi contractor Santosh Patil, Karnataka RDPR Minister K S Eshwarappa on Wednesday alleged a conspiracy to malign his name even as the Congress demanded the Minister’s ouster from the Cabinet. Eshwarappa said this was why he had asked Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to hold an impartial enquiry into the matter and find out who are behind Patil’s suicide. “There is a conspiracy to malign my name. A death note allegedly has been found, it is said. But there is no signature on it and it was not found with the body. That is why I have informed my Chief Minister to initiate an inquiry. The CM said that he will definitely back the inquiry,” he said. Eshwarappa said the government had not given any contract to Patil to carry out any projects. “No work order has been issued to him. Therefore, there is no question of corruption (taking 40 percent commission).” “This is not a private contract where you pay a lump sum and get the work done. These are government projects and there are set rules and regulations. There is approval of the contract. Then the work order has to be passed … so and so forth. When Patil has not been awarded any contract, where is the question of corruption (accepting 40 per cent commission)?” he asked. Eshwarappa said an impartial investigation would throw light on people who egged Patil to conspire against him. Eshwarappa said he did not know who Patil was. It is learnt that Patil was national Secretary of the Hindu Yuva Vahini. He was found dead in a lodge in Udupi on Tuesday with police suspecting it to be a case of suicide. Patil had earlier alleged that Eshwarappa had demanded a 40 percent commission on the value of the contract work executed by him. In response, Eshwarappa had dismissed the claims and filed a defamation suit against Patil. In a purported message on social media, Patil allegedly held the Minister responsible for his death. Meanwhile, the Congress is holding protests across the state demanding Eshwarappa’s arrest and resignation as Minister. Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Siddaramaiah said Patil was a BJP worker and Eshwarappa was to blame for his death. “This comes under the ingredients under Section 300 of IPC warranting p shment under Section 302 (murder) of IPC,” he told reporters. Siddaramaiah also demanded immediate arrest of Eshwarappa and his dismissal from the Cabinet. BDN MR