Karnataka Minister Caught In Sleaze Tape, Resigns

* RTI activist claims he has a CD of the minister caught in the ‘act.’

* A woman appears on TV on Sunday and claims the Minister sought sexual favours to transfer her to a place of her choice.

* Minister tries to seek CM’s support, but Siddaramaiah snubs him.

* Minister puts in his papers.

A thoroughly embarrassed Karnataka Excise Minister HY Meti resigned on Wednesday after a sleaze tape showing him having an affair with a woman surfaced and local news channels began airing it.

70-year-old Meti called on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the latter's official residence here and submitted his resignation letter. "It will be sent to the Governor soon for acceptance," an official from the Chief Minister's Office said.

Reports said that an upset Chief Minister had asked the minister to be prepared to put in his papers if the existence of the CD is proved. In a last ditch attempt, the beleaguered minister tried to talk to the Chief Minister, but the later reportedly cut his talk short and told him to be prepared to resign. This appears to have sealed the fate of 71-year-old Meti.

The minister's fall from grace begain when a woman appeared on Television channel and said Meti had sought sexual favours in lieu of a departmental transfer. An RTI activist, identified as Rajashekhar Mulali, had said that he is in possession of a CD catching the minister 'in the act.'