Archive · 23 Aug 2026
BJP, JD(S) Plan Karnataka Assembly Siege Over Nagendra
The BJP and JD(S) plan to protest near Karnataka’s Assembly building.
They will start at Freedom Park in Bengaluru and march to Vidhana Soudha.
They want Minister B. Nagendra to resign.
The demand is linked to alleged misuse of money from a corporation meant to help Scheduled Tribes.
Investigators found that ₹89 crore was allegedly moved from the corporation’s bank account.
The total amount involved was later estimated at about ₹187 crore.
R. Ashoka made several further allegations about how the money was handled and about Nagendra’s possible links to the case.
The Congress government says the matter is being handled through an ongoing investigation, while the BJP says the government is protecting Nagendra.
The BJP and JD(S) will march from Freedom Park and lay siege to Vidhana Soudha at 9:30 a.m. on August 24.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka is demanding Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra’s resignation over the alleged Valmiki Corporation scam.
The controversy involves alleged transfers of ₹89 crore, with the overall diversion later estimated at about ₹187 crore.
Ashoka cited alleged investigative findings involving forged transactions, layered accounts and links to Nagendra, while the allegations remain contested.
The opposition says protests will continue inside and outside the legislature; the government says the allegations are being addressed through an ongoing investigation.
- Who
- The BJP and JD(S), led in the announcement by Karnataka Opposition Leader R. Ashoka, are organizing the protest against Minister B. Nagendra.
- What
- A march from Freedom Park followed by a planned siege of Vidhana Soudha, alongside continuing legislative protests demanding Nagendra’s resignation.
- When
- The protest is scheduled for August 24 at 9:30 a.m.; the announcement was made on August 23.
- Where
- Freedom Park and Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Why
- The opposition is seeking Nagendra’s removal over alleged financial diversion from the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
BJP and JD(S) allegations
Congress government position
Nagendra’s continuation in government
BJP and JD(S) allegations
The BJP and JD(S) say Nagendra should resign because of alleged links to the Valmiki Corporation financial-diversion case. R. Ashoka alleges that the Congress government is shielding him.
Congress government position
The government has retained Nagendra and says the allegations are being dealt with through an ongoing investigation. The articles do not provide a detailed response from Nagendra or the government to each allegation.
Evidence and investigative findings
BJP and JD(S) allegations
Ashoka cited alleged CBI chargesheets, Special Investigation Team forensic material, financial transactions and attached properties as reasons for further scrutiny of Nagendra’s alleged connections to the case.
Congress government position
The reports present these claims as allegations by Ashoka and do not establish them as proven. Ashoka also questioned the Congress government’s statement that Nagendra’s name was not in the CBI chargesheet.
Purpose of the protests
BJP and JD(S) allegations
The BJP says the agitation seeks accountability, protection of Scheduled Tribe interests, proper use of public money and adherence to constitutional values.
Congress government position
Ashoka alleges that the Congress is staging counter-protests to divert attention, while the government’s stated justification for its counter-protests is not detailed in the reports.
- Protest date
- August 24
- Planned start time
- 9:30 a.m.
- Starting point
- Freedom Park, Bengaluru
- Target
- Vidhana Soudha
- Initial alleged transfer
- ₹89 crore from the corporation’s Union Bank account
- Overall alleged diversion
- About ₹187 crore
- Opposition demand
- B. Nagendra’s resignation and removal from the Cabinet
