Karnataka Minister B Nagendra resigns

After denial that he had offered to quit, Karnataka Minister B. Nagendra on Friday resigned. Nagendra has remained out of the Cabinet for two years. It has been learned from high-ranking sources that B Nagendra has submitted a resignation letter to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Nagendra, who had said he would not resign, has finally resigned. He was reinducted into the Karnataka Cabinet on August 3, 2026, a move that was opposed by the BJP and JD(S).  The development comes amid continued demands from the Opposition BJP and JD(S) for Nagendra's removal from the Cabinet over alleged irregularities of around Rs 89 crore in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.Nagendra, who was the Tribal Welfare Minister at the time, resigned from the Cabinet in June 2024 amid the controversy. He was later arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the case.
It is said that the Congress leadership was concenrned about prosecution sanction being sought by the CBI against Nagendra from governor Thawar Chand Gehlot.The alleged scam came to light after the corporation's accounts officer Chandrasekharan P died by suicide in May 2024, leaving behind a note alleging unauthorised transfer of funds. Investigations subsequently alleged that large sums were transferred from the corporation's bank accounts to various accounts, triggering a political controversy and demands for Nagendra's resignation. Nagendra, who was then the Tribal Welfare Minister in the Siddaramaiah cabinet, had resigned in June 2024 amid the controversy. He was later re-inducted into the Cabinet on August 3 after Shivakumar took over as chief minister. 
The Karnataka BJP has announced its 10-day padayatra from Raichur to Ballari from September 1 to 10 to highlight the alleged failures of the Congress government in the state. BJP plans to highlight the induction of B Nagendra, who is facing corruption charges, in the state cabinet, apart from allegations of farmers' distress, unemployment, reservation issues and corruption in recruitment, party state president B Y Vijayendra said on Tuesday.

(State Correspondent)