Karnataka politics witnessed a dramatic turn as Minister B. Nagendra broke down in tears while announcing his resignation from the state cabinet, following mounting pressure from the BJP over corruption allegations against him. Notably, his resignation comes just 25 days after he took oath as a minister in the D.K. Shivakumar-led cabinet.
This is not the first time Nagendra has stepped down over the issue — he had earlier resigned in June 2024 from the Siddaramaiah government following allegations of fund diversion in the Valmiki Corporation. He returned to the cabinet in the first week of August, after D.K. Shivakumar took over as Karnataka Chief Minister from Siddaramaiah. Speaking to reporters with visible emotion, Nagendra said he was resigning voluntarily, while alleging that he was being targeted solely because he belongs to the Dalit community.
Nagendra alleged that he was being singled out because certain forces did not want a tribal person to rise in the country. Questioning whether his signature appeared anywhere in the Valmiki transactions, he said he was being targeted purely on account of his Dalit identity. He further questioned why he alone was being held responsible when banks were also involved in the transactions, asking pointedly whether the Union Finance Minister would also be held equally accountable in that case.
Speaking with tears in his eyes, Nagendra said that the people of Karnataka were watching everything closely, and alleged that thousands of false narratives were being spread against him on a daily basis. His resignation comes after the BJP and JD(S) intensified their protests demanding that he step down.
The opposition parties had alleged that Nagendra was linked to the irregular diversion of funds belonging to the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. Amid the controversy, opposition parties staged large-scale protests both inside and outside the Karnataka Assembly. The BJP and JD(S) have also announced plans to hold a major padayatra (foot march) from Raichur to Ballari between September 1 and 10.