1 week ago
Karnataka BJP Siege Over Valmiki Funds Allegations Turns Tense
BJP leaders in Karnataka held a protest against Minister B Nagendra.
They want him to resign because of allegations about money from a corporation for Scheduled Tribe welfare.
The BJP says about Rs 187 crore was diverted for election-related purposes.
The protest began at Freedom Park and moved toward Vidhana Soudha.
Police stopped the protesters from entering the legislature.
Some leaders and workers were detained, and scuffles happened at the barricades.
Congress leaders said Nagendra had already explained his position.
They asked the BJP to discuss the issue inside the Assembly instead of protesting in the streets.
The Central Bureau of Investigation has asked the Governor for permission to prosecute Nagendra.
BJP leaders led by R Ashoka and B Y Vijayendra protested in Bengaluru demanding Minister B Nagendra’s resignation.
Police blocked protesters from entering Vidhana Soudha, leading to scuffles and the detention of several BJP leaders.
The BJP alleged that Rs 187 crore meant for the Valmiki Corporation was diverted for election-related purposes in Karnataka and Telangana.
Congress leaders rejected the BJP’s approach, saying Nagendra had addressed the allegations and urging debate in the Assembly.
The protests came as the Central Bureau of Investigation sought Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot’s sanction to prosecute Nagendra.
- Who
- Karnataka BJP leaders, including R Ashoka and B Y Vijayendra, Minister B Nagendra, Congress leaders, and Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge.
- What
- The BJP staged a Vidhana Soudha siege protest demanding Nagendra’s resignation over alleged diversion of Valmiki Corporation funds.
- Where
- The demonstrations took place at Freedom Park and near the Vikasa Soudha and Vidhana Soudha gates in Bengaluru.
- When
- The protest and standoff took place on Monday; the Central Bureau of Investigation’s request for prosecution sanction was also reported in connection with the controversy.
- Why
- The BJP alleged that funds meant for Scheduled Tribe welfare were diverted for election-related purposes, while Congress leaders defended the government and called for an Assembly debate.
BJP’s allegations and demands
Congress government’s response
Responsibility for the funds
BJP’s allegations and demands
The BJP alleged that Rs 187 crore meant for Valmiki Corporation welfare programs was diverted for election-related purposes and demanded that the money be returned.
Congress government’s response
Congress leaders said Nagendra had held a press conference to clarify the matter and that the Deputy Chief Minister had stated the government’s position.
Handling of the protest
BJP’s allegations and demands
R Ashoka and B Y Vijayendra accused the Congress government of using police force to suppress a peaceful opposition protest.
Congress government’s response
Priyank Kharge criticized the street demonstration and urged the BJP to submit notice and debate the issue in the Assembly.
Political accountability
BJP’s allegations and demands
The BJP said the government was protecting Nagendra and failing to act over alleged corruption involving money intended for Dalit and Scheduled Tribe communities.
Congress government’s response
Congress leaders questioned the BJP’s selective criticism, referred to pending files involving politicians, and said Nagendra had not been convicted.
Key facts
- Main demand
- The BJP demanded the resignation of Planning and Statistics Minister B Nagendra.
- Alleged diversion
- The BJP alleged that Rs 187 crore from the Valmiki Corporation was diverted for election-related purposes in Karnataka and Telangana.
- Protest locations
- BJP demonstrations were held at Freedom Park and near the Vikasa Soudha and Vidhana Soudha gates in Bengaluru.
- Police action
- Police blocked protesters from entering the legislature and detained several leaders and workers, including B Y Vijayendra and R Ashoka.
- Reported clashes
- The confrontation involved tense exchanges, pushing, and scuffles at barricades.
- Government response
- Priyank Kharge said the issue should be raised and debated on the floor of the Assembly.
- Investigation development
- The Central Bureau of Investigation sought Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot’s sanction to prosecute B Nagendra.
Quotes
Priyank Kharge
Karnataka Home Minister
“We are protesting because of Minister Nagendra. He has looted around Rs 180 crore from the Valmiki Corporation. This money should be returned to the people. That is why we are protesting in front of Vidhana Soudha.”
thestatesman.com
“The protest is against the Congress government, which is reluctant to drop Minister Nagendra from the Cabinet and appears to be supporting corruption. Against this backdrop, we are laying siege to Vidhana Soudha.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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