B. Nagendra likely to quit Ministry as Congress seeks to defuse Opposition offensive

Minister B Nagendra during the Monsoon session of Karnataka Legislative Assembly at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. | Photo Credit: The Hindu A day after the Opposition BJP and JD(S) announced a 10-day padayatra from Raichur to Ballari beginning September 1, Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra is likely to resign from the Karnataka Cabinet, in a move aimed at preventing further embarrassment to the ruling Congress.The Opposition has been demanding Mr. Nagendra’s resignation over his alleged role in the embezzlement of funds from the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation, an issue that dominated the recently concluded Legislature session.Over to GovernorThe possibility of Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot granting sanction for Mr. Nagendra’s prosecution, following a plea by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), is also believed to have prompted the Minister to consider stepping down. The Governor has reportedly written to the State Cabinet seeking clarity on Mr. Nagendra’s continuation in the Ministry.The Enforcement Directorate has already filed a chargesheet in the alleged multi-crore scam in the Corporation.Sources in the Congress told The Hindu that Mr. Nagendra had spoken to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and expressed his desire to resign.Mr. Shivakumar did not rule out the possibility of Mr. Nagendra’s resignation. Responding to a question from reporters, he said, “All party workers, MLAs and Ministers are disciplined soldiers of the party. That is what I can say.”Mr. Shivakumar is scheduled to travel to Delhi on Thursday (August 26, 2026), where the issue of Mr. Nagendra’s resignation is expected to figure in his discussions with Congress central leaders, including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and general secretaries K.C. Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala.The Chief Minister is also likely to seek the high command’s approval for filling a vacant Cabinet position with a woman legislator and for appointments to various boards and corporations.Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said Mr. Shivakumar was expected to discuss Mr Nagendra’s issue with the party’s central leadership during his Delhi visit.However, Ministers Satish Jarkiholi, Madhu Bangarappa and K.H. Muniyappa played down reports of Mr. Nagendra’s resignation, saying they were unaware of the development.Valmiki Corporation scamThe alleged irregularities in the government-owned Valmiki Corporation came to light after its accounts superintendent P. Chandrashekaran died by suicide in May 2024, leaving behind a note alleging unauthorised transfers of funds. Subsequent investigations alleged that large sums were transferred from the Corporation’s bank accounts to various other accounts, triggering a political controversy and demands for Mr. Nagendra’s resignation.Mr. Nagendra, who was the Tribal Welfare Minister in the Siddaramaiah-led government, resigned from the Cabinet in June 2024, amid the controversy. He was later re-inducted into the Cabinet on August 3, 2026, after Mr. Shivakumar became Chief Minister.The Opposition has since stepped up its demand for his removal, citing multiple cases relating to the alleged ₹89.63-crore embezzlement in the Corporation. It was alleged that the money was transferred to several accounts, with about ₹79 crore reportedly recovered so far.The proposed 10-day padayatra from Raichur to Ballari is expected to focus on the alleged corruption involving Mr. Nagendra as well as issues such as drought, the release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu and alleged irregularities in recruitment by the Karnataka Public Service Commission. Published - August 26, 2026 06:29 pm IST