2 weeks ago
Karnataka Assembly and Council disrupted over Nagendra's removal demand
In the Indian state of Karnataka, some politicians were very angry with a minister named B Nagendra.
They said he was involved in taking a lot of money from a government company called the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation, which helps people from the Valmiki community.
Because of these accusations, a police agency called the Enforcement Directorate arrested him in July 2024.
A court let him go on bail in October 2024.
He was also named in official chargesheets filed by the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Even though he had these problems, the state's leader, D K Shivakumar, made him a minister again on August 3.
The opposition politicians said this was unfair and refused to let the meetings continue.
They shouted in both the Assembly and the Council, so the Speaker and the Chairman had to pause the meetings.
The opposition wanted Nagendra to resign, but the ruling side said the allegations were baseless.
In the end, the Assembly continued its work with a lot of noise, and the Council was closed until the next day.
Opposition BJP and JD(S) members disrupted the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Monday, demanding the removal of Minister B Nagendra.
The Karnataka Legislative Council was adjourned on Tuesday after BJP and JD(S) members raised slogans seeking Nagendra's resignation, with Chairman Saleem Ahmed unable to pacify them.
Nagendra, the Ballari MLA, was inducted into the D K Shivakumar-led Cabinet on August 3 as Minister for Planning and Statistics, after resigning from the earlier Siddaramaiah-led Cabinet over the allegations.
The Enforcement Directorate arrested Nagendra in the Valmiki Corporation scam case in July 2024, and a Special Court in Bengaluru granted him bail in October 2024.
Speaker G S Patil adjourned the Assembly twice and offered a discussion if the opposition gave notice, but the opposition insisted on Nagendra's resignation; the House eventually proceeded with Question Hour amid sloganeering.
- Who
- Opposition BJP and JD(S) legislators led by Leader of Opposition R Ashoka and BJP MLA Sunil Kumar, Minister B Nagendra, Assembly Speaker G S Patil and Council Chairman Saleem Ahmed
- What
- Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council proceedings were disrupted over demands to remove Minister B Nagendra over alleged embezzlement at the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation.
- Where
- Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, Bengaluru
- When
- Monday (Assembly) and Tuesday, August 18 (Council), during the Monsoon Session
- Why
- The opposition alleges Nagendra was involved in the embezzlement of crores of rupees at the state-run Valmiki Corporation and should not remain a minister.
Opposition (BJP/JD(S))
Ruling Congress-led Government
Minister's removal
Opposition (BJP/JD(S))
Nagendra must be removed immediately because chargesheets have been filed against him by the ED and CBI in the Valmiki Corporation scam; he cannot stay in the post even for a second.
Ruling Congress-led Government
The allegations are baseless and were raised without prior notice in violation of rules; the governor, as constitutional head of the state, swore Nagendra in as a minister.
Functioning of the House
Opposition (BJP/JD(S))
The House should not function until Nagendra is dropped; a discussion is useless without his resignation.
Ruling Congress-led Government
The House should proceed with Question Hour and key issues such as the drought situation; the Speaker offered a discussion and government reply if the opposition gave notice.
Use of embezzled funds
Opposition (BJP/JD(S))
If the Congress will not remove Nagendra, it should admit the money was used for the Ballari polls and taken by the Congress high command.
Ruling Congress-led Government
The opposition is making baseless allegations and wasting the House's time by raising the issue without giving notice.
Key facts
- Minister
- B Nagendra, Ballari MLA
- Portfolio
- Planning and Statistics
- Allegation
- Embezzlement of crores of rupees at Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation
- Arrest
- July 2024 by the Enforcement Directorate
- Bail
- October 2024 by a Special Court in Bengaluru
- Chargesheets
- Filed by the ED and CBI
- Cabinet induction
- August 3, under Chief Minister D K Shivakumar
- Opposition parties
- BJP and JD(S)
Quotes
Sunil Kumar
BJP MLA
“The matter and the allegations against the minister have already been discussed in the past. He cannot stay in the post even for a second. The CM should take his resignation immediately.”
thehansindia.com
“We will not let the House function until he is dropped. The CM should remove him from the Cabinet immediately.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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