B Nagendra resigns from Karnataka cabinet 25 days after reinstatement | Today’s news
Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister B Nagendra on Friday resigned from the state cabinet, just 25 days after returning to the ministry amid allegations related to the Valmiki Corporation scam. He broke down in tears during a press conference in Bengaluru announcing his resignation.
Nagendra announced his decision soon after saying he would meet Chief Minister DK Shivakumar before making the matter public in a press conference.
“Today I voluntarily tender my resignation as a minister,” B Nagendra told reporters, according to PTI.
Nagendra said he formally handed over his resignation to Shivakumar.
The BJP and JD(S) opposed his return to the Karnataka cabinet and protested his reinstatement two years after he resigned over the same controversy.
Opposition parties accused him of association with the alleged ₹89 crore fraud of Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
Nagendra criticizes ‘manuwadis’
While announcing his resignation in an emotional and strained voice, Nagendra drew comparisons between the BJP’s criticism of him and Lord Rama’s killing of Shambuka in the Ramayana. He claimed that the “manuwadis”, apparently referring to the BJP, were against a tribal person attaining political prominence.
Shambuka is described as an ascetic in Uttara Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana. According to the text, Rama killed him in penance.
Nagendra said he decided to step down to avoid embarrassing his party and to prevent what he described as a conspiracy of “manuwadis and nefarious communal forces” from gaining influence in Karnataka’s political landscape.
Protests by the BJP in both houses of the Karnataka legislature led to the monsoon session being adjourned sine die on August 24, three days before it was originally scheduled to end.
The opposition also announced plans to hold a march from Raichur to Ballari between September 1 and 10.
“No role in Valmiki Corporation scam”
Nagendra alleged that the central investigating agencies had included his name in their second chargesheet “in haste”.
“I have no role in the Valmiki Corporation scam. Did I sign it anywhere, give any instruction or write any letter?” he said.
He asked why Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman did not resign when the nationalized Union Bank of India was allegedly involved in the transfer of funds.
He also said he was willing to resign as an MLA and face the verdict of the “people’s court”.
Nagendra, who was serving as tribal welfare minister when the controversy came to light, resigned from the Karnataka cabinet in June 2024. He returned to the state cabinet on 3 August and was given the portfolio of planning and statistics. His reinstatement prompted the opposition to renew calls for his impeachment.
Nágendra had earlier dismissed speculation of his resignation, claiming that the allegations against him were “politically motivated”.
(With agency input)
