Karnataka minister B Nagendra resigns amid Valmiki Corporation row
The BJP has continued to raise alleged irregularities involving Rs 89 crore at the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation
Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister B Nagendra on Friday (August 28) announced his resignation from the state cabinet, within 25 days of assuming office, over the alleged Valmiki Corporation scam.
His announcement came shortly after he said he would meet Chief Minister DK Shivakumar and reveal his decision in a press conference.
"Today I am voluntarily tendering my resignation as the minister," an emotional Nagendra told reporters.
He said he had tendered his resignation to Shivakumar.
"Manuwadis (apparently referring to the BJP) targeted me as they didn't want a tribal person in the country to grow," Nagendra alleged.
He accused the saffron party of seeking to "impose the Manusmriti" and described it as having an "anti-tribal mindset”. He said he was also prepared to resign as an MLA and go to the "people's court".
Opposition had protested his reinduction
The Opposition BJP and the JD(S) have been protesting his reinduction in the cabinet, two years after he quit over the same issue.
They have been alleging his involvement in the Karnataka State Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam worth Rs 89 crore. The case surfaced after accounts officer P Chandrasekharan died by suicide in May 2024, leaving a note alleging unauthorised fund transfers.
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Nagendra, a prominent ST leader, had been Tribal Welfare Minister under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah before resigning in June 2024. He was later re-inducted into office.
(With Agency inputs)