Mantri quits over sex scam

The Yeddyurappa government’s plans to organise a mega celebration this month when it completes two years in office, took a body blow on Sunday with the food and civil supplies minister, Mr Haratalu Halappa, resigning following a media report that he had allegedly assaulted the wife of a friend in November last year. His resignation has been accepted by the Governor.

With the gram panchayat polls just a week away, it remains to be seen how this scandal affects the prospects of the party.

The report which was published in a Kannada daily said that Mr Halappa had visited the friend’s house in Vinoba Extension in Shimoga, his home district after completing his engagements in November. After having food that night, Mr Halappa allegedly expressed his desire to stay overnight and was welcomed by his friend.

Around midnight, Mr Halappa reportedly began crying in discomfort. His friend rushed to the room and was told by the minister that as his blood pressure had dropped, some tablets should be brought from the Inspection Bungalow (IB) nearby.

The friend rushed to the IB but could not trace either the car driver or the gunman. He returned home planning to get the minister admitted to hospital.

He was shocked to find his wife sobbing and Mr Halappa hurriedly getting dressed. The woman told her husband that she had been raped by the minister. After sending his resignation to the CM, Mr Halappa denied being involved in the incident. “I feel the baseless report has been published only to tarnish my image,” he added.