Archive · 29 Aug 2026
B Nagendra Resigns Again Over Valmiki Corporation Corruption Allegations
B Nagendra has resigned from the Karnataka Cabinet for the second time in two years.
Both resignations were connected to allegations involving the Valmiki Corporation.
The controversy began after an accounts officer died by suicide in May 2024.
The officer’s note alleged that Rs 89.63 crore had been transferred without authorization.
Nagendra has said he was not connected to the alleged corruption.
The Enforcement Directorate arrested him, but he is now out on bail.
The CBI later named him as an accused in a chargesheet.
Nagendra said he resigned so the controversy would not hurt the Congress government, although DK Shivakumar reportedly asked him not to resign.
B Nagendra resigned from Karnataka’s Cabinet amid renewed BJP criticism over the Valmiki Corporation case.
He previously resigned on June 6, 2024, while serving in Siddaramaiah’s Cabinet.
The controversy began after accounts officer Chandrasekharan P alleged an unauthorized transfer of Rs 89.63 crore in a suicide note.
Nagendra was later arrested by the Enforcement Directorate and is currently out on bail.
After the CBI named him as an accused, Nagendra said he resigned to protect the Congress government, despite DK Shivakumar asking him to stay.
- Who
- B Nagendra, the BJP, DK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI are central to the episode.
- What
- Nagendra resigned from Karnataka’s Cabinet amid allegations linked to financial irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
- When
- Nagendra first resigned on June 6, 2024, and resigned again on a Friday after being re-inducted on August 3, 2026.
- Where
- Karnataka, including the state Assembly and the Valmiki Corporation.
- Why
- The BJP demanded Nagendra’s removal after the CBI named him as an accused in a chargesheet alleging financial irregularities and illegal gratification; Nagendra said he resigned to protect the government.
Nagendra and Congress Government
BJP Opposition
Nagendra’s responsibility
Nagendra and Congress Government
Nagendra maintained that he was not linked to the corruption scandal and said he resigned to prevent the controversy from affecting the Congress government.
BJP Opposition
The BJP intensified demands for Nagendra’s removal after the CBI named him as an accused, alleging financial irregularities and illegal gratification.
Reason for the resignation
Nagendra and Congress Government
Nagendra said DK Shivakumar had asked him not to resign, but he chose to step down voluntarily to protect the government.
BJP Opposition
The BJP argued that Nagendra should leave office and repeatedly disrupted the state Assembly to press for his resignation.
Political pressure
Nagendra and Congress Government
Nagendra’s resignation was presented as a step to contain the controversy surrounding the Congress government.
BJP Opposition
The BJP continued its campaign over the Valmiki Corporation case and announced a Raichur-Ballari padayatra.
- First ministerial appointment
- May 2023
- First resignation
- June 6, 2024, from Siddaramaiah’s Cabinet
- Cabinet re-induction
- August 3, 2026, under DK Shivakumar
- Alleged unauthorized transfer
- Rs 89.63 crore
- Legal status
- Arrested by the Enforcement Directorate and currently out on bail
- Political response
- The BJP demanded his removal and announced a Raichur-Ballari padayatra
- Assembly impact
- The Karnataka Assembly was adjourned indefinitely, three days ahead of schedule