In Tears, B Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet, Second Time Over Same Corruption Scandal

Bengaluru: Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister B Nagendra wept openly during a press conference on Friday, announcing his second resignation from the state Cabinet over the contentious Valmiki Corporation fund diversion case. Emotionally distressed, Nagendra pleaded with the public not to let the political turmoil overshadow Karnataka's development plans and Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's agenda.

Nagendra said he was resigning voluntarily to ensure that the current political controversy did not hamper the government's operations. Despite claiming his innocence, he accused the BJP of falsely accusing him and attempted to frame him as the culprit. Describing the situation as a "test" for the people of Karnataka, Nagendra highlighted that Chief Minister and party leadership had repeatedly expressed his innocence.

This is Nagendra's second resignation from the Cabinet over the same issue. In 2024, he stepped down as Tribal Welfare Minister under the Siddaramaiah government amid allegations of massive irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. The controversy originated from an accounts official's suicide, reportedly due to stress over the alleged irregularities.

The case involved the alleged diversion and fraudulent transfer of funds, with reports citing ₹89 crore to ₹187 crore in irregularities. Nagendra has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the money laundering investigation.