BJP staged a protest on Saturday demanding the resignation of Minister Priyank Kharge in connection with the alleged suicide of a Bidar-based civil contractor. BJP state president B Y Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly R Ashoka, and Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy led the protest.

The party leaders gathered at Jagat Circle in large numbers, holding placards and raising slogans against the minister amid a tight security presence. They later marched toward the minister's residence but were detained by the police midway.

According to the police, around 80 protesters were detained, including Ashoka, Narayanaswamy and MLC C T Ravi. "Around 80 protesters were detained while they were on their way to the minister's residence. They were taken into a police bus but were later released," a senior police officer said.

As the BJP planned to lay siege to Kharge's residence, the minister decided to counter them uniquely. Police personnel were also deployed outside the residence as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident.

Reacting to the protest, Kharge told reporters that neither he nor the government would succumb to the opposition's demands and pressure tactics. He pointed out that several cases were against BJP leaders, including a case under the POCSO Act against former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.

Yediyurappa is the father of BJP state chief B Y Vijayendra and Shivamogga MP B Y Raghavendra. Mounting pressure on the ruling Congress in Karnataka, the BJP has reiterated its demand for a CBI inquiry into the contractor's "suicide" and the resignation of Kharge.

Civil contractor Sachin Panchal allegedly died by suicide on December 26 by lying before a moving train in Bidar district. In his suicide note, he accused Priyank Kharge's close aide, Raju Kapanur, of compelling him to take the drastic step. He alleged that he was receiving death threats to pay Rs one crore to Kapanur, who rejected the charges.

Kharge also said he had no role in the case, as the suicide note did not name him. He also demanded an inquiry into the case to uncover the truth.