Stories
Karnataka Minister B Nagendra Resigns Amid Valmiki Scam Allegations
- •Karnataka cabinet minister B Nagendra resigned from his post ahead of a BJP padayatra protesting alleged Rs 89-crore irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
- •Nagendra, who held the Planning and Statistics portfolio, denied any role in the alleged Valmiki scam, stating he resigned voluntarily to prevent hampering the CM's vision.
- •This marks Nagendra's second resignation; he previously quit Siddaramaiah’s Cabinet in 2024 over a separate alleged fund diversion scam.
- •The BJP and JD(S) announced a 170 km padayatra from Raichur to Ballari starting September 1 to demand Nagendra's resignation.
- •BJP MLC N. Ravi Kumar alleged that the government's funds were used by the Congress for elections in Telangana and Ballari, and to purchase gold.
Key Questions Answered
SIT and CID investigations were conducted into the alleged Valmiki scam. Investigating agencies, including the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED), have also been examining allegations surrounding the diversion of funds from the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
B Nagendra has stated he is prepared to face the legal process after his resignation.
B. Nagendra's resignation marks the first cabinet member to step down from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's government. Nagendra stated that opposition parties engaged in manipulative politics, preventing discussions on critical issues like drought and the Cauvery dispute. He also accused them of attempting to influence innocent people and prevent Dalits and Adivasis from becoming ministers.
