Karnataka Minister B Nagendra has resigned from the state Cabinet, breaking down in tears while announcing his decision at a press conference in Bengaluru.
Nagendra, who was re-inducted into the Cabinet earlier this month, has been facing renewed pressure over the alleged Rs 89-crore Valmiki Corporation scam.
Announcing his resignation, Nagendra said he was stepping down voluntarily to avoid causing further embarrassment to the government and his party. He maintained that he was innocent and claimed that he was being targeted because he belongs to the Dalit community.
"Just because I don't want my party to be embarrassed because of me, today on my own accord, I am giving my resignation to the Chief Minister," Nagendra said.
This is Nagendra's second resignation from the Karnataka Cabinet in connection with the Valmiki Corporation controversy. He had earlier stepped down as Tribal Welfare Minister in June 2024 after allegations of financial irregularities involving the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation surfaced.
The controversy came to light after P Chandrashekharan, an accounts superintendent with the corporation, died by suicide in May 2024 and left behind a note alleging financial irregularities and unauthorised transfers of funds.
Investigations later found that around Rs 89.63 crore was transferred from a corporation account to a Union Bank of India account and subsequently moved to multiple other accounts.
Nagendra has repeatedly denied any involvement in the alleged irregularities. He has questioned whether he signed any document, issued any direction or prepared any note sheet related to the transactions.
His resignation comes just weeks after he was re-inducted into the Cabinet by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on August 3 and given the Planning and Statistics portfolio.
The Opposition BJP and JD(S) had strongly opposed his re-induction and repeatedly demanded his removal over the Valmiki Corporation case. The issue also led to disruptions during the recent Monsoon Session of the Karnataka legislature.
The Enforcement Directorate and Central Bureau of Investigation have also sought sanction from Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to prosecute Nagendra in connection with the case.
Nagendra, however, has maintained that he is being politically targeted and has said he is ready to face the allegations and prove his innocence.
His resignation is likely to provide some relief to the Congress government, which had been under sustained Opposition pressure over his re-induction. However, the Valmiki Corporation scam is expected to remain a major political issue in Karnataka.
