5 days ago
B Nagendra Resigns Again Amid Karnataka Valmiki Corporation Scam
B Nagendra resigned as a minister in Karnataka.
He left the Cabinet only 25 days after returning to it.
The resignation is linked to a case involving alleged misuse of money from a tribal development corporation.
Different reports give different estimates of the money involved, ranging from ₹89 crore to ₹187 crore.
Nagendra says he did not do anything wrong.
He says political opponents are targeting him because he is a tribal leader.
Investigating agencies have examined alleged fraudulent transfers and money laundering.
He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate and later received bail, according to one report.
Nagendra says he resigned so the controversy would not hurt government work or the Congress party.
Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister B Nagendra resigned from the Cabinet on Friday, 25 days after his reinduction.
Nagendra called the resignation voluntary and said he wanted to protect government development work and the Congress party from further controversy.
The BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) had protested his return to the Cabinet over alleged irregularities involving the Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
Reports put the alleged financial irregularities at between ₹89 crore and ₹187 crore, while investigating agencies alleged fraudulent transfers and money laundering.
Nagendra denied wrongdoing, said the corporation’s funds had been recovered, and stated he was prepared to resign as an MLA and face voters.
- Who
- B Nagendra, Karnataka’s Planning and Statistics Minister, resigned amid pressure from the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular).
- What
- He resigned from the Karnataka Cabinet over allegations connected to the Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation fund-diversion case.
- Where
- The resignation was announced at a press conference in Bengaluru and concerns the Karnataka government.
- When
- On Friday, 25 days after his reinduction into the Cabinet; he had previously resigned over the same controversy in 2024.
- Why
- Nagendra said he wanted to prevent the controversy from affecting development work and embarrassing the Congress party, while denying involvement in wrongdoing.
Nagendra and Congress Position
BJP and Opposition Position
Nagendra’s responsibility
Nagendra and Congress Position
Nagendra says he had no role in the alleged irregularities and asks whether he signed, directed or documented any transaction. He says he was politically targeted.
BJP and Opposition Position
The BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) allege that Nagendra was involved in the Valmiki Corporation scandal and demanded that he be removed from the Cabinet.
Nature of the resignation
Nagendra and Congress Position
Nagendra describes the resignation as voluntary and says he stepped down to avoid embarrassing the Congress party or obstructing development work.
BJP and Opposition Position
Opposition leaders, including R. Ashoka, say the government was forced to accept his resignation after trying to shield him from accountability.
Investigative and political pressure
Nagendra and Congress Position
Nagendra accepts the state-level investigations but criticizes the involvement of central agencies, alleging selective political targeting. He says he is ready to resign as an MLA and face voters.
BJP and Opposition Position
The opposition points to investigations by central agencies, including alleged fraudulent transfers and money laundering, as grounds for demanding accountability. BJP protests also disrupted the Karnataka legislature’s Monsoon session.
Key facts
- Minister
- B Nagendra, Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister
- Timing
- Resigned 25 days after being reinducted into the Cabinet
- Corporation
- Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation
- Reported amount
- Reports cite alleged irregularities ranging from approximately ₹89 crore to ₹187 crore
- Investigations
- The Special Investigation Team, Criminal Investigation Department, Directorate of Enforcement and Central Bureau of Investigation have investigated the case
- Nagendra’s position
- He denies wrongdoing, says he was politically targeted, and claims the corporation’s funds were fully recovered
- Previous resignation
- Nagendra resigned as a minister in 2024 over the same controversy
Quotes
B. Nagendra
Karnataka Minister and Ballari Rural MLA
“The State Government finally forced to accept the resignation of B. Nagendra after trying every possible trick to shield him from accountability in the Valmiki Development Corporation.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Manuwadis (apparently referring to the BJP) targeted me as they didn't want a tribal person in the country to grow,”
m.rediff.com
Sources
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