B Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet For Second Time, Breaks Down In Tears

Congress leader B Nagendra resigned from the Karnataka Cabinet on Friday amid renewed political pressure over alleged financial irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. Nagendra, who was re-inducted into the state Cabinet earlier this month, announced his resignation while addressing the allegations against him.

The controversy relates to alleged irregularities involving around Rs 89 crore in the corporation. The issue emerged in 2024 after the death of the corporation’s accounts officer, Chandrasekharan P, who had left behind allegations concerning unauthorised transfers of funds. Subsequent investigations found that substantial amounts had been moved from the corporation’s bank accounts to other accounts.

Nagendra had previously resigned as Tribal Welfare Minister in June 2024 amid the controversy. He returned to the Cabinet on August 3 after DK Shivakumar became Karnataka Chief Minister, and was assigned the Planning and Statistics portfolio. His re-induction had since drawn continued criticism from the Opposition BJP, which has repeatedly raised the corporation case.

Also Read: Karnataka Cabinet Approves Bill To Regulate Use Of Government Premises

Announcing his resignation, Nagendra maintained that he was taking the decision voluntarily and questioned the BJP over the allegations against him. He also accused the Opposition of targeting him because of his tribal and Dalit background and alleged that the BJP was attempting to use the issue for political purposes.

Nagendra also linked his decision to the BJP’s planned protest march in Karnataka. The state BJP has announced a 10-day padayatra from Raichur to Ballari from September 1 to 10, covering around 200 km, to raise issues including alleged corruption, farmer distress, unemployment and recruitment-related irregularities. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi is expected to inaugurate the march.

Nagendra, a prominent Scheduled Tribe leader, first won an Assembly election on a BJP ticket in 2008 before contesting as an independent from Kudligi in 2013. He joined the Congress in 2018 and subsequently won twice from the Bellary constituency, which is reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates. His latest resignation places renewed focus on the Valmiki corporation controversy and its political fallout for the Karnataka government.

Also Read: Karnataka Cabinet Rejig: Senior Leaders Miss Berths, S.S. Mallikarjun Gets Surprise Entry