Bengaluru, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Sunday said the BJP was free to continue its protest demanding the resignation of Minister for Planning and Statistics B. Nagendra, but stressed that any demonstration must remain within the framework of law.
His remarks came after the BJP announced plans to continue its agitation and lay siege to Vidhana Soudha on Monday. Shivakumar said the government would not interfere with a lawful protest.
“Let them do whatever they want. There is a law of this land and this country. I don’t want to disturb them. Let them do anything legally,” he said.
The Chief Minister, however, accused the BJP of resorting to “hooliganism” by disrupting Assembly proceedings instead of following established procedures.
“If they are tearing up the law and disrupting the Assembly instead of giving a notice or following the procedure, then what is the point?” he asked.
Shivakumar said there was nothing wrong with people coming together, raising questions or staging protests, but political parties should follow prescribed procedures, including giving notice and allowing issues to be discussed.
Questioning the BJP’s demand for Nagendra’s resignation, he said the Opposition did not have the patience to hear the government’s response.
“I have been asking why he should resign. They do not even have the patience to listen to me till then. So, they do not have the strength to face the Congress party in the Assembly,” he said.
Shivakumar also challenged the BJP to release details of criminal cases involving ministers, MPs, Union ministers and Chief Ministers across the country and explain why resignations were not being sought in all such cases.
He further alleged that Nagendra was being selectively targeted because he belongs to the Scheduled Tribe community, claiming that the BJP was politically jealous of Congress having several ST legislators.
On industrialist Gautam Adani’s meeting with him at his Sadashivanagar residence in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said it was the first time the businessman had visited him there since he became Chief Minister.
He described the meeting as a courtesy interaction and said the Adani Group had several projects and employment-generating activities in Karnataka.
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