Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Karnataka Council Passes Two Bills Amid BJP Protests
The Karnataka Legislative Council passed two new Bills while opposition members were protesting.
The protests were led by the BJP and JD(S).
One Bill changes rules for municipalities.
The other creates rules for managing apartment buildings.
Apartment associations would have to register and complete yearly audits.
The Bill also creates a way to settle disagreements among residents, builders and associations.
Developers would have to give financial records to recognised resident welfare associations.
The Opposition was protesting because B Nagendra returned to the Cabinet despite facing allegations and criminal proceedings linked to the Valmiki Corporation case.
The Karnataka Legislative Council passed two Bills amid protests by the BJP and JD(S).
The Karnataka Municipalities Amendment Bill, 2026, was moved by Urban Development Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah.
The Karnataka Apartment Ownership and Management Bill, 2026, requires apartment associations to register and undergo annual audits.
The apartment Bill establishes dispute-resolution procedures and requires developers to hand over financial accounts to recognised resident welfare associations.
The Opposition protested B Nagendra’s re-induction into the Cabinet and demanded his removal over the alleged Valmiki Corporation scam.
- Who
- The Karnataka Legislative Council, state ministers, and Opposition BJP and JD(S) members were involved; the protest also concerned B Nagendra.
- What
- The Council passed the Karnataka Municipalities Amendment Bill, 2026, and the Karnataka Apartment Ownership and Management Bill, 2026, amid protests.
- When
- In 2026; B Nagendra was re-inducted into the Cabinet on August 3.
- Where
- The proceedings took place in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- Why
- The apartment Bill was intended to regulate apartment management and disputes, while the Opposition protested Nagendra’s Cabinet induction over the alleged Valmiki Corporation scam.
Government and Bill Supporters
Opposition BJP and JD(S)
Apartment legislation
Government and Bill Supporters
The government said the Bill would give apartment residents legal protections, require registration and audits, and provide a dispute-resolution mechanism.
Opposition BJP and JD(S)
The Opposition protested during passage of the Bill, although the articles do not state a specific objection to its apartment-management provisions.
B Nagendra’s Cabinet role
Government and Bill Supporters
Nagendra was re-inducted into Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s Cabinet and assigned the Planning and Statistics portfolio.
Opposition BJP and JD(S)
The BJP and JD(S) demanded Nagendra’s removal, arguing that he should not remain a minister while facing allegations and criminal proceedings in the alleged Valmiki Corporation scam.
- Legislative body
- Karnataka Legislative Council
- Bills passed
- Karnataka Municipalities Amendment Bill, 2026, and Karnataka Apartment Ownership and Management Bill, 2026
- Apartment association requirement
- Resident welfare associations would have to register, including existing associations registering afresh.
- Financial oversight
- Annual audits would be mandatory, and developers would have to hand over collection and expenditure accounts.
- Opposition demand
- The BJP and JD(S) demanded B Nagendra’s removal from the Cabinet.
- Valmiki Corporation case
- Nagendra resigned as minister in June 2024, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in July 2024, and was later granted bail.
- Cabinet portfolio
- Nagendra was allotted the Planning and Statistics portfolio after his August 3 induction.