2 weeks ago
Shivakumar Defends Nagendra’s Reinduction Amid Opposition Resignation Demand
The opposition wants Minister B Nagendra removed from the Karnataka Cabinet.
They say this is connected to an alleged money scam at a government corporation.
D K Shivakumar defended Nagendra and said he was not directly involved.
Shivakumar said most of the allegedly missing money has been recovered.
Nagendra had resigned earlier but was brought back into the Cabinet on August 3.
The opposition’s protests caused the Karnataka Assembly to stop working normally for two days.
Shivakumar called the protests political drama and asked the opposition to discuss the matter formally.
He also argued with H D Kumaraswamy about a land project near Bengaluru.
D K Shivakumar rejected BJP and JD(S) demands to remove Minister B Nagendra from Karnataka’s Cabinet.
Opposition protests disrupted Assembly proceedings for the second consecutive day over the alleged Valmiki Corporation scam.
Shivakumar said investigations found no direct involvement by Nagendra and that about Rs 79 crore of the alleged Rs 84 crore loss had been recovered.
Nagendra, who previously resigned amid the allegations, was re-inducted on August 3 and assigned the Planning and Statistics portfolio.
Shivakumar also criticized H D Kumaraswamy’s protest over land acquisition for the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township project.
- Who
- D K Shivakumar, Minister B Nagendra, and BJP and JD(S) opposition members; H D Kumaraswamy was also involved in a related dispute.
- What
- Shivakumar rejected demands for Nagendra’s removal and defended Nagendra’s re-induction into the Cabinet.
- Where
- The dispute took place in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in Bengaluru and concerned the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation.
- When
- The Assembly protests continued for a second day on Tuesday; Nagendra was re-inducted on August 3, and the ED arrested him in July 2024 before his bail in October 2024.
- Why
- The opposition is demanding Nagendra’s removal over alleged embezzlement, while Shivakumar says investigations found no direct role for Nagendra.
Government Position
Opposition Position
Nagendra’s Cabinet position
Government Position
Shivakumar says Nagendra has no direct involvement in the alleged scam and deserves another opportunity after previously resigning.
Opposition Position
The BJP and JD(S) are demanding Nagendra’s removal from the Cabinet because he faces charges connected to the alleged embezzlement.
Assembly protests
Government Position
Shivakumar calls the opposition’s disruption a political drama and asks them to submit notice and debate the issue in the House.
Opposition Position
The opposition has protested in the Assembly for two consecutive days, saying the matter warrants Nagendra’s removal.
Greater Bengaluru land project
Government Position
Shivakumar says the government wants public welfare and jobs and criticizes H D Kumaraswamy for opposing the project now.
Opposition Position
Kumaraswamy and the JD(S) have protested the acquisition of farmers’ land for the Greater Bengaluru Integrated Township project near Bidadi.
Key facts
- Minister defended
- B Nagendra
- Defending leader
- D K Shivakumar
- Alleged amount
- About Rs 84 crore
- Amount reportedly recovered
- About Rs 79 crore
- Nagendra’s current portfolio
- Planning and Statistics
- ED arrest
- July 2024
- Bail
- Granted by a Bengaluru Special Court in October 2024
Quotes
D K Shivakumar
Karnataka Chief Minister
“We have verified cases against him (Nagendra). There is no mention of his direct role in the ED case against him.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Facing an existential crisis, the BJP and JD(S), despite knowing the truth, are playing this big drama.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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