Karnataka Minister B Nagendra Resigns Amidst Allegations of Involvement in Multi-Crore Scam
In a significant development, Karnataka’s Minister for Scheduled Tribes Welfare, B Nagendra, has tendered his resignation amidst mounting allegations of involvement in a multi-crore illegal money transfer case. The case, linked to the Valmiki Corporation scam, has stirred political turmoil in the state, prompting opposition parties to demand Nagendra’s resignation.
Opposition BJP staged a protest march from ‘Vidhana Soudha’ to Raj Bhavan, petitioning Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot for Nagendra’s resignation, citing the gravity of the corruption allegations. The scam, which involves the unauthorized transfer of ₹187 crore from the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation Ltd, under Nagendra’s administrative purview, has raised serious concerns about financial mismanagement.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, in response to the uproar, stated that a decision regarding Nagendra’s resignation would be made after consultations with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) tasked with probing the scam and discussions with senior Cabinet colleagues. Additionally, Nagendra himself expressed his willingness to resign in the interest of the party and the government, following discussions with the Chief Minister and senior officials.
The scandal came to light following the tragic death of the corporation’s accounts superintendent, Chandrashekhar P, who left behind a note detailing the illegal transfer of funds. The note disclosed the transfer of ₹88.62 crore to various accounts, allegedly belonging to prominent IT companies and a cooperative bank based in Hyderabad. As the investigation unfolds, the resignation of Minister B Nagendra marks a pivotal moment in Karnataka’s political landscape, highlighting the urgency for transparency and accountability in governance.
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