5 days ago
B Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet Again Amid Valmiki Scam Row
B Nagendra was a minister in Karnataka’s Congress government.
He resigned after the opposition BJP again raised allegations about money moved improperly from a tribal development corporation.
The alleged amount is Rs 89 crore.
The case became public after an accounts officer, P Chandrasekharan, died by suicide and left a note about unauthorised transfers.
Nagendra had already resigned over the issue in June 2024.
He later returned to the Cabinet on August 3, according to the reports, although one report gives the year as 2026 while the others identify it as 2024.
Nagendra said he was being targeted because he is a Dalit and questioned why he was being held responsible.
The BJP planned a march to protest the issue and other alleged failures of the Congress government.
Congress leader B Nagendra resigned from the Karnataka Cabinet for the second time amid BJP criticism over alleged corruption.
The allegations involve suspected irregularities of Rs 89 crore in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
The controversy emerged after accounts superintendent P Chandrasekharan died by suicide in May 2024 and left a note alleging unauthorised fund transfers.
Nagendra, who was Tribal Welfare Minister when the controversy began, said he was being targeted because he is a Dalit and denied responsibility for the transactions.
The BJP planned a 200-kilometre, 10-day march from Raichur to Ballari beginning September 1, with Nagendra’s re-induction among its issues.
- Who
- B Nagendra, the Karnataka Congress government, the Opposition BJP and JDS, and officials connected with the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
- What
- Nagendra resigned from the Karnataka Cabinet amid allegations of financial irregularities involving the corporation.
- Where
- Karnataka; the planned march was to run from Raichur to Ballari.
- When
- He announced his resignation on Friday evening; the controversy emerged in May 2024, and the planned BJP march was scheduled for September 1 to 10.
- Why
- The resignation followed continued Opposition pressure over the alleged irregularities and criticism of Nagendra’s return to the Cabinet.
B Nagendra and Congress Position
BJP and Opposition Position
Responsibility for transactions
B Nagendra and Congress Position
Nagendra questioned whether his signature appeared on the Valmiki corporation transactions and asked why he should be held responsible when banks were involved. One report said he was not named in the case.
BJP and Opposition Position
The BJP continued to demand action against Nagendra and highlighted alleged irregularities involving Rs 89 crore in corporation funds.
Political motivation
B Nagendra and Congress Position
Nagendra said he was being targeted because he is a Dalit. He also accused the BJP of having an anti-tribal mindset and wanting to impose the Manusmriti.
BJP and Opposition Position
The BJP and JDS renewed attacks on Nagendra and opposed his re-induction into the Cabinet.
Handling of allegations
B Nagendra and Congress Position
Nagendra said the BJP had repeatedly been invited to discuss the allegations against him in the Assembly but had not done so, and he asked where the proof was.
BJP and Opposition Position
The Opposition staged protests inside and outside the Karnataka legislature and planned a march to press for his removal, while also citing farmer distress, unemployment and alleged recruitment corruption.
Key facts
- Resigning minister
- B Nagendra
- Alleged amount
- Rs 89 crore
- Corporation
- Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation
- Controversy surfaced
- May 2024, after accounts superintendent P Chandrasekharan died by suicide
- Earlier resignation
- Nagendra resigned in June 2024, saying he wanted a fair investigation
- Re-induction
- Reports say he returned to the Cabinet on August 3; the reports differ on whether this was in 2024 or 2026
- Planned BJP march
- A 200-kilometre foot march from Raichur to Ballari, scheduled for September 1 to 10
Quotes
B Nagendra
Karnataka minister and Ballari Rural legislator
“I believe in the Constitution... We asked the BJP many times to come and discuss the allegations against me in the Assembly, but they didn't.”
NDTV
scroll.in
“People of Karnataka are watching. A thousand lies have been told against me every day.”
wionews.com
Sources
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