Karnataka minister B Nagendra broke down on Friday evening while announcing his resignation from DK Shivakumar’s Cabinet, just 25 days after taking charge, amid growing pressure from the BJP over corruption allegations.
This marks the second time Nagendra has resigned from the state Cabinet in connection with the controversy. He had earlier stepped down from the Siddaramaiah government in June 2024 after allegations surfaced of unauthorised diversion of funds from the Valmiki Corporation.
Nagendra was brought back into the Cabinet in the first week of August after Shivakumar replaced Siddaramaiah as Karnataka Chief Minister. “Today, I am voluntarily tendering my resignation as minister,” an emotional Nagendra told reporters, alleging that he was being targeted because he is a Dalit.
Nagendra alleged that “Manuwadis”, apparently referring to the BJP, targeted him because they did not want a tribal person to progress in the country.
“Is my signature anywhere in the Valmiki transaction? I am being targeted as a Dalit,” Nagendra said. He questioned why he was being held responsible when banks were involved in the alleged transactions and asked whether the Union Finance Minister should also be held accountable.
VIDEO | Bengaluru: “I am submitting my resignation to CM today to ensure party does not face any embarrassment,” says Karnataka Minister Nagendra.
With tears in his eyes, Nagendra said that the people of Karnataka were watching and alleged that “a thousand lies” had been spread about him every day. His resignation came amid renewed demands from the BJP and JD(S) for his removal.
The Opposition has alleged that Nagendra was connected to the alleged diversion of funds from the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. BJP leaders have also held protests both inside and outside the Karnataka legislature over the issue.
The BJP and JD(S) have announced a foot march from Raichur to Ballari between September 1 and 10, seeking Nagendra’s removal from the Cabinet.
WHAT IS THE VALMIKI CORPORATION SCAM?
The controversy began in May 2024 after P Chandrasekharan, then an accounts superintendent at the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, died by suicide and left behind a six-page note alleging financial irregularities and unauthorised transfers of corporation funds.
Investigations later found that Rs 89.63 crore was transferred from a corporation account to a Union Bank of India account before being routed to several other accounts, sparking a major political controversy.
Nagendra was serving as the Tribal Welfare Minister when the allegations emerged and resigned from the Cabinet in June 2024. He was inducted into the Cabinet again on August 3, 2026, and given charge of the Planning and Statistics portfolio. His return prompted the Opposition to once again demand his removal.
Nagendra had earlier dismissed reports that he was planning to resign and maintained that the allegations against him were politically motivated. He also said he needed to prepare to take on “Manuvadis”, apparently referring to the BJP.
Earlier this week, on August 24, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge questioned the basis of the Opposition’s allegations while responding to a BJP protest seeking Nagendra’s resignation.
“Has he been convicted? Is his name in a CID or SIT case? Everyone knows how his name appeared in the CBI's second charge sheet,” Kharge told reporters.
