Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Karnataka Opposition Announces Indefinite Assembly Protest Over Nagendra
Karnataka’s opposition party is protesting inside the state Assembly.
Its leader, R Ashoka, wants Minister B Nagendra to resign.
Ashoka says money meant for Dalits was allegedly taken in a large corporation scam.
BJP leaders said the police stopped them from entering the legislature.
Congress supporters held a separate protest and blamed the BJP for corruption.
They also said Nagendra had already resigned and that the allegations were not true.
The protests have continued during the legislative session.
The CBI has asked the Governor for permission to prosecute Nagendra.
Karnataka LoP R Ashoka announced an indefinite day-and-night dharna inside the Assembly demanding Minister B Nagendra’s resignation.
Ashoka accused the Congress government of shielding Nagendra over the alleged Rs 180 crore Dalit Valmiki Corporation scam.
BJP leaders attempting to enter the legislature were blocked by police, and several were detained.
Congress workers held a counter-protest, accusing the BJP of corruption and saying Nagendra had already resigned.
The CBI has sought Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot’s sanction to prosecute B Nagendra.
- Who
- Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, BJP leaders, Congress workers, Minister B Nagendra, and the CBI are central to the dispute.
- What
- Ashoka announced an indefinite day-and-night protest inside the Assembly demanding B Nagendra’s resignation.
- When
- The announcement was made on Monday during the ongoing legislative session, after protests had continued since the session began.
- Where
- The protests took place inside and around the Karnataka legislature, including Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.
- Why
- The BJP is demanding Nagendra’s resignation over allegations linked to the alleged Karnataka Dalit Valmiki Corporation scam, while Congress disputes the allegations and accuses the BJP of corruption.
BJP and Opposition View
Congress and Government View
Nagendra’s resignation
BJP and Opposition View
The BJP says B Nagendra must resign over his alleged role in the Karnataka Dalit Valmiki Corporation scam.
Congress and Government View
Congress supporters said Nagendra had already resigned and was later promoted because the allegations were not true.
Alleged misuse of Dalit funds
BJP and Opposition View
R Ashoka alleged that Rs 180 crore meant for Dalits was looted and demanded that the money be returned to Dalits.
Congress and Government View
Congress representatives rejected the allegations against their government and said the BJP was itself associated with corruption.
Police handling of protests
BJP and Opposition View
BJP State President BY Vijayendra accused the government of misusing police to suppress democratic dissent.
Congress and Government View
Congress MLA HD Ranganath and party workers accused BJP and JD(S) leaders of obstructing the Assembly session.
- Protest leader
- R Ashoka, Karnataka’s Leader of the Opposition
- Protest duration
- Indefinite, day-and-night dharna inside the Assembly
- Main demand
- The resignation of Minister B Nagendra
- Alleged amount
- Rs 180 crore allegedly taken from funds intended for Dalits
- Police action
- BJP leaders attempting to enter the legislature were blocked, and several were detained
- Investigation development
- The CBI sought the Karnataka Governor’s sanction to prosecute B Nagendra
- Counter-protest
- Congress workers accused the BJP of corruption and said Nagendra had already resigned