2 weeks ago
Karnataka Opposition Disrupts Assembly, Demands Nagendra’s Removal
Opposition lawmakers in Karnataka protested against Minister B Nagendra for the third day in a row.
They want him removed from the state Cabinet.
The dispute concerns alleged misuse of money at a government corporation for Scheduled Tribes.
Nagendra says he is innocent and will not resign.
He resigned from the Cabinet in June 2024 after the allegations became public.
Investigators later arrested him, and a court granted him bail.
The Congress government says he should remain a minister and wants a formal debate.
The Assembly was disrupted by shouting, and the Speaker adjourned it for lunch.
BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) members disrupted Karnataka Assembly proceedings for a third consecutive day, demanding Minister B Nagendra’s removal.
The Congress government rejected the demand and challenged the Opposition to hold a formal debate on the issue.
Nagendra has denied wrongdoing and ruled out resigning, while facing charges linked to alleged fund diversion at the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Corporation Limited.
The Enforcement Directorate arrested Nagendra in July 2024, and he was granted bail by a Bengaluru Special Court in October 2024.
Nagendra resigned in June 2024 but was re-inducted into the Cabinet on August 3; the CBI and ED later named him in chargesheets.
- Who
- BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) legislators, Minister B Nagendra, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara, and Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
- What
- Opposition members disrupted Assembly proceedings and demanded Nagendra’s removal from the Karnataka Cabinet.
- Where
- The Karnataka Legislative Assembly in Bengaluru.
- When
- Wednesday, August 19; the disruption continued for a third consecutive day. Nagendra was re-inducted on August 3, and the alleged case includes events from 2024 and a CBI chargesheet filed in June this year.
- Why
- The Opposition is protesting allegations that funds were misappropriated or fraudulently diverted from the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Corporation Limited.
Opposition parties
Karnataka government and Nagendra
Whether Nagendra should remain minister
Opposition parties
The BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) demand Nagendra’s immediate removal and have said they will not allow the monsoon session to proceed unless he is sacked.
Karnataka government and Nagendra
The Congress government has ruled out Nagendra’s resignation. Shivakumar defended his re-induction and said Nagendra had no involvement in the alleged scam.
Nagendra’s alleged responsibility
Opposition parties
The Opposition links Nagendra to the alleged embezzlement or fraudulent diversion of funds at the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Corporation Limited and cites the chargesheets naming him.
Karnataka government and Nagendra
Nagendra claims innocence and has ruled out resigning. The government has defended his continuation in the ministry.
How the dispute should be handled
Opposition parties
The Opposition has used protests and sloganeering to press its demand and has threatened to block the monsoon session’s proceedings.
Karnataka government and Nagendra
The ruling government challenged the Opposition to hold a formal debate, while Shivakumar criticised the protests as a political “drama” disrupting legislative proceedings.
Key facts
- Minister at issue
- B Nagendra, who handles the Planning, Programme Monitoring, and Statistics portfolios.
- Opposition demand
- The BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) want Nagendra removed from the Cabinet.
- Alleged diversion
- The CBI chargesheet described Rs 89.63 crore as fraudulently diverted in the case.
- Resignation and return
- Nagendra resigned in June 2024 and was re-inducted into the Cabinet on August 3.
- Investigative agencies
- The Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation named Nagendra in chargesheets.
- Arrest and bail
- The Enforcement Directorate arrested Nagendra in July 2024, and a Special Court in Bengaluru granted him bail in October 2024.
- Assembly action
- Speaker G S Patil adjourned the House for lunch after Parameshwara’s statement amid sloganeering and chaos.
Sources
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