B Nagendra Resigns as Karnataka Minister and MLA, Says BJP ‘Can’t Scare Me’ With ED or CBI

Bengaluru, Karnataka: Congress leader B Nagendra has stepped down from his position as Karnataka’s Minister for Planning and Statistics as well as from his MLA seat, bringing a dramatic turn to the political controversy surrounding the alleged financial irregularities in the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation.

Nagendra, who was visibly emotional while announcing his decision, said he had chosen to resign voluntarily to prevent the allegations against him from becoming a source of embarrassment for the Congress party.

At the same time, the former minister launched a sharp attack on the BJP and accused what he described as “Manuwadis” of targeting him because of his tribal background.

Speaking after his resignation, Nagendra said he was not afraid of investigative agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He alleged that political forces were attempting to intimidate him and prevent his progress.

His resignation comes less than a month after he was inducted into Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s cabinet on August 3, making the development particularly significant for Karnataka politics.

Nagendra Says He Resigned to Protect His Party

Nagendra said his decision was driven by his desire to protect the Congress from continued political attacks.

While announcing the resignation, he became emotional and said he did not want allegations against him to create further embarrassment for his party.

He maintained that the allegations being raised by the opposition were politically motivated and described himself as a victim of what he called BJP’s “Manuwadi” politics.

Nagendra also strongly rejected the suggestion that he was stepping down because he had been intimidated by central investigative agencies.

His comments appeared aimed at sending a message that his resignation should not be interpreted as an admission of wrongdoing.

Controversy Linked to Valmiki Corporation

The political pressure surrounding Nagendra is connected to allegations of financial irregularities involving the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation.

The controversy had already become a major political issue in Karnataka, with the BJP repeatedly demanding Nagendra’s removal and questioning the Congress government over its handling of the allegations.

The opposition had argued that Nagendra should not continue in a ministerial position while the controversy remained under investigation.

Nagendra, however, had previously rejected reports that he was preparing to resign. His office had said that there had been no discussion about his resignation and that media reports suggesting otherwise were incorrect.

His latest decision therefore marks a significant change from his earlier position.

BJP Had Intensified Pressure on Congress Government

The BJP had been demanding Nagendra’s resignation since he was inducted into the cabinet.

The pressure increased earlier this week when BJP and JD(S) workers organised a major protest march towards the Vidhana Soudha, Karnataka’s seat of government, demanding action against the Congress leader.

Several protesters were detained by police during the demonstration.

BJP leaders, including B Y Vijayendra and R Ashoka, were among those taken into preventive custody.

The opposition parties also disrupted proceedings in both Houses of the Karnataka legislature while demanding Nagendra’s removal.

The BJP and JD(S) argued that the allegations surrounding the corporation required political accountability and that Nagendra should not continue as a minister while questions remained unanswered.

Congress Had Stood by Nagendra

Despite the pressure from the opposition, the Congress leadership in Karnataka had publicly supported Nagendra.

Chief Minister D K Shivakumar had earlier said that there was no reason to demand Nagendra’s resignation simply on the basis of allegations, pointing out that no court had convicted him.

The Congress had also attempted to turn the BJP’s criticism back on the opposition by highlighting criminal cases involving political leaders across parties.

This firm backing meant that Nagendra’s decision to resign appears to have come as a personal political choice rather than an immediate result of an official dismissal.

‘BJP Can’t Scare Me With ED, CBI’

In his remarks following the resignation, Nagendra adopted a defiant tone.

He said the BJP could not frighten him by invoking agencies such as the ED and CBI.

He also alleged that he had been targeted because he is a tribal leader and accused his political opponents of following an ideology that does not want tribal leaders to rise.

His comments add another dimension to the controversy, turning what began as a dispute over alleged financial irregularities into a wider political battle involving accusations of discrimination, political pressure and the use of central agencies.

Resignation From MLA Seat Adds to Political Impact

Nagendra’s decision is significant not only because he has left the state cabinet but also because he has announced his resignation from his MLA seat.

Giving up an elected Assembly position makes the move more consequential than a routine ministerial resignation.

It also raises questions about his political future and whether he intends to continue fighting the allegations outside the government while defending his position within the legal and political system.

For the Congress government, the resignation could temporarily ease pressure from the opposition, but it is unlikely to end the controversy surrounding the Valmiki Corporation issue.

Political Battle Likely to Continue

The BJP is expected to continue raising the matter and demanding accountability from the Congress government.

For Congress, the challenge will now be to prevent the controversy from affecting the government’s credibility while allowing the relevant investigative and legal processes to take their course.

Nagendra, meanwhile, has made it clear that he does not intend to remain silent.

His decision to resign while simultaneously accusing his political opponents of targeting him suggests that the controversy is far from over.

The developments also highlight the increasingly political nature of investigations involving senior public figures in India, where allegations, investigative agencies and political accountability often become intertwined.

For now, Nagendra has stepped away from both the Karnataka cabinet and the Assembly, saying he did so voluntarily and to protect his party from further embarrassment. But his strong remarks against the BJP and his allegations of being targeted because of his tribal identity indicate that he plans to continue defending himself politically.

The controversy surrounding the Valmiki Corporation allegations, meanwhile, remains an issue that is likely to stay at the centre of Karnataka’s political debate in the days ahead.

News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.