Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Karnataka Monsoon Session Ends Early Amid Valmiki Scam Clash
Karnataka’s state lawmakers were supposed to meet for two weeks, but they stopped three days early.
The BJP wanted minister B Nagendra to resign over an alleged money scandal.
The Congress government said investigators had not proved that Nagendra was directly involved.
The BJP repeatedly protested, which disrupted the meetings.
Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the issue should have been discussed through the normal legislative process.
Several topics, including drought, farmers’ land and water sharing, were not debated.
The government did pass a bill allowing extra spending of ₹7,042.69 crore.
Nagendra denied wrongdoing and said central agencies were targeting him.
Karnataka’s two-week Monsoon Session ended three days early after repeated disruptions over demands for B Nagendra’s resignation.
The BJP cited a CBI chargesheet and sought Nagendra’s removal, while the Congress government said his direct involvement had not been established.
Both Houses adjourned sine die after passing the Supplementary Finance Bill, including ₹7,042.69 crore in supplementary Budget estimates.
Debates on drought, farmer land acquisition, recruitment, Cauvery water sharing and electoral-roll revision were left incomplete.
BJP leader R Ashoka petitioned Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, while Nagendra denied wrongdoing and alleged political targeting by central agencies.
- Who
- The Karnataka legislature, the BJP Opposition, the Congress government, Minister B Nagendra, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot.
- What
- The Monsoon Session ended three days early amid protests demanding Nagendra’s resignation over the alleged Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam.
- When
- The session ended on Monday, three days before its scheduled conclusion.
- Where
- The Karnataka legislature in Karnataka; the alleged fund transfers involved the Union Bank of India’s M G Road branch in Bengaluru and accounts linked to a firm in Telangana.
- Why
- The session was curtailed after repeated disruptions over the BJP’s demand for Nagendra’s resignation, while the government said the matter should be debated rather than used to halt proceedings.
BJP Opposition
Congress Government and Nagendra
Whether Nagendra should resign
BJP Opposition
The BJP said Nagendra should leave the Cabinet because the CBI has filed a chargesheet and criminal proceedings connected to corruption allegations are pending.
Congress Government and Nagendra
The Congress government said the investigation had not established Nagendra’s direct involvement, while Nagendra denied wrongdoing.
Reason for ending the session early
BJP Opposition
R Ashoka alleged that the government curtailed the session because it feared stronger protests, including overnight demonstrations inside the legislature.
Congress Government and Nagendra
D K Shivakumar said the BJP disrupted proceedings instead of giving notice and holding a debate through legislative procedure.
Meaning of the investigation
BJP Opposition
The BJP argued that the chargesheet and alleged fund transfers raised questions of constitutional propriety and public confidence, regardless of legal eligibility.
Congress Government and Nagendra
Nagendra and Congress representatives pointed to the absence of a direct link in the available investigation and noted that the Karnataka Special Investigation Team had not named him as an accused in the predicate fraud case.
- Session outcome
- Both Houses were adjourned sine die three days ahead of schedule.
- Central dispute
- The BJP demanded B Nagendra’s resignation after the CBI filed a chargesheet connected to the alleged Valmiki corporation scam.
- Government position
- The Congress government said no documents directly establishing Nagendra’s guilt had been received.
- Supplementary funding
- The Karnataka Appropriation Bill for 2026-27 approved ₹7,042.69 crore in supplementary Budget estimates.
- Alleged diversion
- The case concerns the alleged transfer of ₹94.73 crore from the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
- BJP action
- R Ashoka led a delegation to Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot seeking intervention against Nagendra’s continuation as minister.
- Nagendra’s position
- Nagendra denied wrongdoing and said central agencies were politically targeting him.