‘Central agencies conspired’: Karnataka minister Nagendra rules out resignation

Karnataka's Minister B Nagendra refused to resign and accused central agencies of conspiring against him during the ongoing protests by the BJP and Janata Dal (Secular) in the Legislative Assembly. The Congress government dismissed the Opposition's demands for a formal debate on the matter and firmly stated that Nagendra would not be leaving his post.

The minister, who oversees Planning, Programme Monitoring, and Statistics, has maintained his innocence in the ongoing scam allegations. Nagendra had initially resigned from his ministerial position in June 2024 following accusations of misappropriating funds from the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Corporation Limited.

The Enforcement Directorate subsequently arrested him, and the CBI filed a chargesheet in June this year, implicating him along with others in the fraudulent diversion of Rs 89.63 crore. He was subsequently re-appointed to the Cabinet on August 3. During the Assembly session, Nagendra addressed the allegations directly, asserting that he was prepared to accept punishment if found guilty, but the BJP declined to engage in a formal discussion.

He also criticized the opposition, alleging a Manuvadi plot to remove him due to his status as a Dalit from the Adivasi community.