Corruption Allegations: Karnataka Minister B Nagendra Offers To Step Down

Karnataka Minister B Nagendra has offered to resign from the DK Shivakumar-led cabinet amid mounting pressure from the BJP over alleged financial irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.

The BJP has been demanding Nagendra’s removal over alleged irregularities involving around ₹89 crore. The minister offered to step down on Wednesday as the Opposition intensified its protests. Sources said Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has asked Nagendra to wait until he consults the party high command before proceeding with the resignation.

Valmiki Corporation controversy

The allegations came to light in May 2024 after corporation accounts officer Chandrasekharan P died by suicide. He left behind a note alleging that funds had been transferred without authorisation.

Investigations that followed alleged that large amounts of money were transferred from the corporation’s bank accounts to multiple accounts, triggering a major political controversy and demands for Nagendra’s resignation.

Nagendra was the Tribal Welfare Minister in the Siddaramaiah government when the controversy emerged. He resigned from the cabinet in June 2024 amid the allegations.

He was subsequently re-inducted into the cabinet on August 3 after DK Shivakumar became chief minister.

BJP’s padayatra

Nagendra’s offer to resign came a day after the Karnataka BJP announced a 10-day padayatra from Raichur to Ballari to target the Congress government. The march will be held from September 1 to 10 and will cover around 200 km. BJP state president B Y Vijayendra said the party would raise the issue of Nagendra’s induction into the cabinet along with allegations of corruption and other concerns.

The BJP also plans to highlight farmers’ distress, unemployment, reservation-related issues and alleged irregularities in recruitment. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi will inaugurate the march in Raichur on September 1, while the padayatra will conclude in Ballari.

Nagendra’s latest move has brought the Valmiki Corporation allegations back into focus and added fresh pressure on the Karnataka government ahead of the BJP’s planned statewide campaign.