Inside the Downfall of Karnataka Minister B. Nagendra Amid Valmiki Corporation Scam
_930593003.jpg)
Karnataka politics has been plunged into fresh turmoil following the resignation of senior Congress leader B. Nagendra from the state cabinet on Friday. Marking a dramatic turn of events, this is the second time in two years that Nagendra has been forced to step down from ministerial office over the exact same set of corruption allegations linked to the multi-crore Valmiki Development Corporation scam.
The Anatomy of the First Resignation Under Siddaramaiah
B. Nagendra first assumed ministerial office following the Congress party's victory in May 2023, taking charge of the Scheduled Tribe Welfare Department, which oversaw the Valmiki Corporation. The crisis erupted in May 2024 when Chandrasekharan P., an accounts officer associated with the corporation, died by suicide. In his suicide note, the official alleged unauthorized and fraudulent financial transfers amounting to Rs 89.63 crore.
Facing intense protests and unrelenting political pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Nagendra formally tendered his resignation from the cabinet on June 6, 2024, maintaining his innocence throughout. Subsequently, he faced legal scrutiny and was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), though he later secured release on bail.
Reinstatement and the Rapid Unfolding of Crisis
The political landscape took another surprising twist when Nagendra was reinstated into the state cabinet on August 3, 2026, taking charge of the Planning and Statistics Department. However, his return proved short-lived. The opposition BJP immediately reignited its campaign, capitalizing on a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charge sheet that named Nagendra as an accused in connection with financial irregularities and illegal fund diversion.
The renewed uproar paralyzed legislative proceedings, forcing the adjournment of the Assembly session three days ahead of schedule, while the opposition announced plans for a high-profile padayatra from Raichur to Ballari. Visibly emotional and breaking down in tears before the media, Nagendra announced his exit, stating that while Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had urged him to stay, he chose to step down voluntarily to shield the administration from prolonged controversy.
_450351425_351x234.jpg)
_346846824_351x234.jpg)
_930593003_351x234.jpg)
_259694527_351x234.jpg)
