Shivamogga, April 16 : Former Karnataka Minister KS Eshwarappa on Saturday said the death of Santosh Patil could be a murder. “Initially I thought the deceased might have taken the extreme step fearing court notice. Now, doubts are raised as to whether it could be a murder. The truth will emerge during the course of investigation,” he told reporters here. Patil, a Belagavi contractor, had committed suicide by consuming poison on April 12 at a lodge in Udupi. Eshwarappa said it is necessary to ascertain whether there is a party, or an individual or an institution behind Patil’s alleged suicide. “If the truth emerges, the deceased’s soul will rest in peace,” he said. Asked about the alleged role of Karnataka Congress President DK Shivakumar in the case, Eshwarappa said he would comment on it after the completion of the probe. “If Opposition leaders Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar and former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy had conscience, they would not have demanded my arrest. If I have committed a mistake, let me get p shed. I have faith that I will come out clean,” he said. Asked about the impact of his resignation on BJP’s prospects, Eshwarappa said the late Indira Gandhi could not cause damage to his party as her grandson Rahul Gandhi would. “If grandmother (late Indira Gandhi) could not cause any harm to the BJP, how can her grandson (Rahul Gandhi) cause damage to the party,” he quipped. BDN SHK2253