Bengaluru: Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra Friday announced his resignation from the Cabinet, saying he was stepping down to ensure that the Congress party and its leadership were not embarrassed by the controversy surrounding the alleged Valmiki tribal welfare corporation scam.
Speaking at a joint press conference at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Nagendra became emotional while maintaining that he was innocent and had been unfairly targeted by the Opposition. He said he was submitting his resignation to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar despite the Chief Minister telling him that he was innocent and did not need to step down.
“Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has told me that I am innocent at all levels. But, on my own, and to ensure that the party is not embarrassed because of me, I am submitting my resignation letter to the Chief Minister,” Nagendra said.
Thanking media representatives who had supported him, Nagendra alleged that the BJP and other Opposition parties had deliberately disrupted the Assembly session and prevented a discussion on the issues facing the state.
He alleged that the Opposition was trying to bring “Manusmriti” into practice and said that India was now governed by the Constitution and the principles of B.R. Ambedkar.
“This is not the age of the Shastras. This is the age of the Constitution and Babasaheb Ambedkar,” Nagendra said.
Referring to the Ramayana, he cited the episode of Shambuka and said that such discrimination could not be repeated in the present era because the Constitution protects the rights of marginalised communities.
Nagendra alleged that the BJP believed Dalits, Adivasis, women, Shudras and minorities should not be allowed to lead independent lives or occupy positions of power.
He said the Opposition had demanded his resignation without allowing a proper debate in the Assembly. He alleged that several important issues, including drought, the Cauvery dispute, the KPSC recruitment controversy and the Kasturirangan report, were not discussed because the proceedings were disrupted.
He also criticised the BJP’s proposed padayatra, alleging that the Opposition had no substantive agenda and was attempting to project the Valmiki Corporation controversy as a scam despite his claim that he had no role in the alleged irregularities.
Nagendra strongly defended himself against the allegations, pointing out that several investigations had already been conducted.
“I have said this many times. Even in 2024, I offered my resignation so that the party would not be embarrassed. After that, all kinds of investigations were conducted. The BJP ridicules the CID and SIT, but we are proud of our SIT. They have done their job correctly,” he said.
Nagendra said he had been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and spent three months in jail before being released on bail. He alleged that his name was included in the second chargesheet but not the first chargesheet in the case.
“Have I signed anywhere? Have I issued any order? Have you recovered even one rupee from me?” he asked.
Nagendra also questioned why Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman should not resign, arguing that Union Bank of India comes under the Union Finance Ministry.
“Why am I being targeted? Is it because I am a Dalit or an Adivasi?” he asked.
He alleged that the action against him reflected a discriminatory mindset and said Dalits and Adivasis were no longer in a position to remain silent.
Nagendra became emotional during the press conference and said attempts were being made to turn false allegations into the truth.
“I am innocent. By telling lies, you want to make them the truth. I will challenge you. This is my challenge,” he said.
He said he respected the Constitution and the constitutional process, pointing out that the Governor had administered the oath of office to him.
Nagendra also questioned the Governor’s decision to grant sanction for prosecution against him while allegedly not acting on a similar request concerning Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, which he said had been pending for years.
“Is this justice? Is there one rule for me and another for others?” he asked.
Nagendra said he would take his case to the people and appeal to the Congress high command, maintaining that he had no role in the alleged scam and had been punished merely because he was a minister in the Congress government.
Nagendra said he would continue to explain his position to people in the 15 Assembly constituencies where the Scheduled Tribe community has a significant presence.
He alleged that the BJP had repeatedly come to power through “backdoors” and asserted that people in Karnataka would not allow it to return to power through such means.
“I am just Nagendra. I am bowing down to the Constitution. I am resigning because I do not want the high command to face embarrassment because of me. I do not want the development works of the Chief Minister to be affected,” he said.
Nagendra also referred to AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, saying that as a senior Congress leader from Karnataka, he should not be put in an embarrassing position because of the controversy.
He maintained that his resignation was a personal decision taken in the interest of the party and reiterated that he would continue to fight the allegations against him.
The resignation comes amid an ongoing political and legal controversy over alleged irregularities involving the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. The BJP has been demanding Nagendra’s resignation and has intensified its protests over the issue.
