Bengaluru, August 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra on Friday resigned from the state Cabinet amid the controversy over alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, saying he did not want the issue to cause embarrassment to the Congress leadership.
Announcing his decision at a press conference at Vidhana Soudha, Nagendra said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had told him that he was innocent and did not need to resign. He nevertheless said he had decided to step down on his own.
“Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has told me that I am innocent at all levels. But, on my own, and to ensure that the party is not embarrassed because of me, I am submitting my resignation letter to the Chief Minister,” Nagendra said.
Nagendra, who became emotional during the press conference, strongly denied having any role in the alleged irregularities and accused the BJP and other Opposition parties of targeting him because of his Dalit and Adivasi background.
“This is not the age of the Shastras. This is the age of the Constitution and Babasaheb Ambedkar,” he said, alleging that the Opposition wanted to bring “Manusmriti” into practice.
Referring to the Ramayana episode involving Shambuka, Nagendra said discrimination against marginalised communities could not be allowed in the present era because their rights were protected by the Constitution.
He alleged that the BJP believed Dalits, Adivasis, women, Shudras and minorities should not be allowed to lead independent lives or hold positions of power.
Nagendra also criticised the Opposition for disrupting Assembly proceedings and preventing discussion on issues including drought, the Cauvery dispute, the KPSC recruitment controversy and the Kasturirangan report. He alleged that the BJP’s proposed padayatra was aimed at politically exploiting the Valmiki Corporation controversy.
Defending himself against the allegations, Nagendra said multiple investigations had been conducted and questioned the evidence against him.
“I have said this many times. Even in 2024, I offered my resignation so that the party would not be embarrassed. After that, all kinds of investigations were conducted. The BJP ridicules the CID and SIT, but we are proud of our SIT. They have done their job correctly,” he said.
Nagendra said he had been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate and spent three months in jail before securing bail. He also claimed that his name appeared in the second chargesheet but not the first.
“Have I signed anywhere? Have I issued any order? Have you recovered even one rupee from me?” he asked.
The minister questioned why Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman should not face similar scrutiny, pointing out that Union Bank of India falls under the Union Finance Ministry.
“Why am I being targeted? Is it because I am a Dalit or an Adivasi?” he asked.
Nagendra also questioned the Governor’s decision to sanction prosecution against him, contrasting it with what he described as the delay in acting on a similar request concerning Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.
“Is this justice? Is there one rule for me and another for others?” he said.
He maintained that his resignation was a personal decision taken to protect the Congress leadership and ensure that the government’s development work was not affected. He also referred to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, saying that he did not want the senior Congress leader from Karnataka to be placed in an embarrassing position because of the controversy.
Nagendra said he would continue to present his case before the people, particularly in the 15 Assembly constituencies with a significant Scheduled Tribe population, and would appeal to the Congress high command.
“I am innocent. By telling lies, you want to make them the truth. I will challenge you. This is my challenge,” he said.
The resignation follows sustained political pressure from the BJP, which has been demanding Nagendra’s removal over the alleged Valmiki Corporation irregularities and has intensified protests against the state government.
Nagendra said he would continue his political fight while maintaining that he had been targeted because he was a minister in the Congress government.
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