Targeted because I'm Dalit: Minister B Nagendra to resign amid corruption charges

Congress leader B Nagendra resigned from DK Shivakumar's Karnataka cabinet amid controversy over his alleged involvement in the Valmiki Corporation Scam Case.Nagendra's announcement comes amid renewed demands from the BJP and JD(S) for his resignation.Karnataka Minister B Nagendra broke down on Friday evening while announcing his resignation from D K Shivakumar’s Cabinet amid mounting pressure from the BJP over corruption allegations. While announcing his decision, Nagendra claimed that he was being targeted because he is a Dalit.“Is my signature anywhere in the Valmiki transaction? I am being targeted as a Dalit,” Nagendra said, questioning why he was being held responsible when banks were involved in the alleged transactions and asking, “Union Finance Minister is responsible then?” He further said, “People of Karnataka are watching. A thousand lies have been told against me every day.”Nagendra's announcement comes amid renewed demands from the BJP and JD(S) for his resignation. The Opposition has accused him of being linked to the alleged diversion of funds from the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation and has staged protests inside and outside the Karnataka legislature.The BJP and JD(S) have also announced a foot march from Raichur to Ballari from September 1 to 10, demanding Nagendra's removal from the Cabinet. The controversy erupted in May 2024 after P Chandrasekharan, then an accounts superintendent with the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, died by suicide and left behind a six-page note alleging irregularities and unauthorised transfers of corporation funds.Subsequent investigations found that Rs 89.63 crore was transferred from a corporation account to a Union Bank of India account and subsequently moved to multiple other accounts, triggering a major political controversy. Nagendra was the Tribal Welfare Minister when the controversy surfaced and resigned from the Cabinet in June 2024. He was re-inducted on August 3, 2026, with the Planning and Statistics portfolio, prompting the Opposition to renew its demand for his removal.Nagendra has previously rejected reports that he would resign and maintained that the allegations against him were politically motivated. He also said he needed to prepare to take on “Manuvadis”, an apparent reference to the BJP.- EndsPublished On: Aug 28, 2026 18:40 IST