1 week ago
BJP-JDS Seek Nagendra’s Ouster as Government Gives Additional Charge
The BJP and JDS held a protest against Karnataka minister B. Nagendra.
They want him removed from the Cabinet.
They say he is connected to an alleged money problem in a corporation that supports Scheduled Tribes.
Opposition leader R. Ashoka said the alleged irregularities involved about Rs 187 crore.
He also referred to cases being investigated by several agencies.
Nagendra is on bail after being arrested by the CBI in 2024, according to one article.
At the same time, the government gave him responsibility for a new authority focused on developing seven districts.
Nagendra said he could not discuss matters before the courts and that the opposition should ask its questions in the Assembly.
The BJP and JDS protested in Bengaluru, demanding Minister B. Nagendra’s resignation and removal from the Cabinet.
The government created the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Authority under Nagendra, who also handles Planning and Statistics and Ballari district affairs.
Opposition leaders linked Nagendra to alleged financial irregularities of about Rs 187 crore in the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
R. Ashoka said CBI, ED and Lokayukta cases identify Nagendra as a main accused, while the articles report that he is on bail after being arrested by the CBI in 2024.
Nagendra declined to discuss court matters and said the government was ready to answer opposition questions in the Assembly.
- Who
- The BJP and JDS, led in the accounts by R. Ashoka and B.Y. Vijayendra, opposed Minister B. Nagendra; Nagendra and the state government defended addressing the issue in the Assembly.
- What
- The opposition demanded Nagendra’s resignation and removal from the Cabinet, while the government assigned him responsibility for the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Authority.
- Where
- The protest was held near the Valmiki statue at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. The new ministry’s office will operate from the Multi-Storey Building in Bengaluru.
- When
- The protest took place on Friday during the ongoing Assembly session; the articles state that Nagendra was arrested by the CBI in 2024 and is currently on bail.
- Why
- The BJP and JDS cited alleged financial irregularities of about Rs 187 crore in the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation and Nagendra’s alleged involvement in related cases.
BJP-JDS Opposition
Nagendra and Government Position
Whether Nagendra should remain in office
BJP-JDS Opposition
The BJP and JDS demand Nagendra’s resignation and removal from the Cabinet, citing his alleged involvement in the corporation’s financial irregularities.
Nagendra and Government Position
The government re-inducted Nagendra and assigned him responsibility for the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Authority; Nagendra has not accepted the opposition’s demand.
How the allegations should be addressed
BJP-JDS Opposition
R. Ashoka and B.Y. Vijayendra are pursuing protests and demanding explanations over Nagendra’s re-induction and the alleged Rs 187 crore irregularity.
Nagendra and Government Position
Nagendra said the matters are before the court and that the opposition should raise its questions on the Assembly floor, where the government is ready to respond.
Investigative findings
BJP-JDS Opposition
Ashoka said CBI and ED charge sheets name Nagendra as the main accused and that he is also the main accused in 31 Lokayukta cases.
Nagendra and Government Position
Nagendra declined to comment on the court-related allegations; the articles do not report a government confirmation or rejection of Ashoka’s claims.
Key facts
- Protesting parties
- Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal Secular
- Minister targeted
- B. Nagendra, MLA for Ballari Rural and Minister of Planning and Statistics
- Alleged irregularity
- Approximately Rs 187 crore in the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation
- Nagendra’s legal status
- The articles say he was arrested by the CBI in 2024 and is currently on bail
- New responsibility
- Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Authority, covering Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Vijayanagara and Ballari
- Opposition demand
- Nagendra should resign and be dropped from the Cabinet
- Government position
- Nagendra said court matters should not be discussed and that the government was ready to answer questions in the Assembly
Quotes
B.Y. Vijayendra
Karnataka BJP president and MLA
“I have provided relevant documents showing that a scam of Rs 187 crore has occurred in Valmiki Corporation. Valmiki Development Corporation Officer P. Chandrashekaran had written in a suicide note that he transferred the money on the directions of the Minister who was then heading Tribal Affairs along with Youth Empowerment and Sports.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Despite proper documents existing regarding financial irregularities in the Valmiki Corporation of about Rs 187 crore. We are waging a struggle against the Minister over his alleged involvement in the scam.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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