5 days ago
Nagendra Resignation Sparks Conflicting Statements From Shivakumar
B Nagendra is a minister in Karnataka.
There are allegations that money was moved improperly from a government corporation.
Opposition parties have asked Nagendra to leave the Cabinet.
Nagendra reportedly told Chief Minister D K Shivakumar that he wanted to resign to protect the Congress party and government from embarrassment.
Shivakumar said he would ask the party’s senior leaders for advice before deciding.
In an earlier statement, Shivakumar did not confirm that Nagendra had resigned.
He said Nagendra would speak to reporters himself.
Shivakumar also said Nagendra was not involved in the alleged wrongdoing.
Nagendra had resigned once before and was later brought back into the Cabinet.
Karnataka Minister B Nagendra reportedly expressed his intention to resign to protect the Congress party and government from embarrassment.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said he would consult the party high command before making a final decision.
Earlier, Shivakumar declined to confirm Nagendra’s resignation and said Nagendra would address the media himself.
Shivakumar maintained that Nagendra had no connection to alleged irregularities in the Valmiki Corporation.
Nagendra previously resigned in June 2024 and was re-inducted into the Cabinet on August 3 after an official report reportedly found no role for him.
- Who
- Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Minister B Nagendra are at the center of the issue.
- What
- Nagendra reportedly expressed an intention to resign, while Shivakumar said the final decision would follow consultation with the Congress high command.
- Where
- The statements were made in Bengaluru, including at Shivakumar’s home office, Krishna.
- When
- The developments were reported on Friday; Nagendra previously resigned in June 2024 and was re-inducted on August 3.
- Why
- The resignation discussions followed allegations of irregularities involving the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation and Opposition demands for Nagendra’s removal.
Government and Congress Position
Opposition Position
Nagendra’s alleged involvement
Government and Congress Position
Shivakumar said Nagendra was in no way connected to the alleged scam and had done nothing wrong.
Opposition Position
The BJP and JD(S) demanded Nagendra’s removal from the Cabinet over the alleged irregularities.
Need for resignation
Government and Congress Position
Shivakumar said Nagendra’s reported resignation was intended to protect the party and government from embarrassment, rather than acknowledge wrongdoing.
Opposition Position
The Opposition treated Nagendra’s continuation in the Cabinet as unacceptable and disrupted proceedings during the Karnataka Legislature’s monsoon session.
Status of resignation
Government and Congress Position
One account said Nagendra handed Shivakumar his resignation, but that the Chief Minister would consult the party high command before deciding; an earlier statement from Shivakumar declined to confirm the resignation.
Opposition Position
The conflicting public statements leave the immediate status of Nagendra’s resignation unclear.
Key facts
- Minister
- B Nagendra, Karnataka’s Minister for Planning and Statistics
- Chief Minister
- D K Shivakumar
- Reported resignation reason
- Nagendra reportedly wanted to avoid embarrassment to the Congress party and government.
- Alleged case
- Irregularities involving the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
- Earlier resignation
- Nagendra resigned from the Siddaramaiah Cabinet in June 2024.
- Re-induction
- Nagendra was re-inducted into the Cabinet on August 3.
- Investigation claim
- Shivakumar said an official report found no role for Nagendra and that 95% of the money had been recovered.
Quotes
D K Shivakumar
Karnataka Chief Minister
“I know the entire case. We have studied it. He is in no way connected [to it]. My advocates have briefed me. My investigation team has also just taken note of it. He has done nothing wrong”
m.rediff.com
“He has expressed his intention to resign. I will bring this to the notice of our high command tonight. After that, I will take a decision in the morning.”
m.rediff.com









