B Nagendra Resigns As Karnataka Minister, Denies Role In Alleged Valmiki Scam – Delhi News Daily

Last Updated:August 28, 2026, 19:39 IST

Nagendra, who held the portfolio of Planning and Statistics, dismissed the BJP’s allegations and said a conspiracy is being hatched to get him arrested.

B Nagendra (Photo: X)

Karnataka cabinet minister B Nagendra on Friday resigned from his post ahead of the BJP’s 10-day padayatra from Raichur to Bellari over alleged Rs 89-crore irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.

Nagendra, who held the portfolio of Planning and Statistics, dismissed the BJP’s allegations and denied any role in the alleged Valmiki scam. He said that he met high command leaders and handed over his resignation.

“I resign voluntarily. My CM also believes that I have done no wrong. Development and CM’s vision should not get hampered. An innocent has been made an accused by calling me an accused by the BJP,” he said.

This is the second time Nagendra has resigned from the government. He had earlier quit Siddaramaiah’s Cabinet in 2024 as ST Welfare Minister after his name cropped up in a ₹94-crore fund diversion scam involving the Karnataka Scheduled Tribes Development Board.

Also Read | What Is Karnataka’s Rs 89-Crore Valmiki Scam? Nagendra Denies Claims, But Why ED Thinks He Is Mastermind

The recent monsoon session of the Karnataka Legislature witnessed a washout as the BJP pressed for Nagendra’s resignation.

“Due to conspiracy politics, we appealed several times and asked the Opposition to give notice and come for discussions. They did not come for discussions on drought, KPSC and several other issues. Keeping baseless and issueless issues, they falsely carried out protests claiming that scams had taken place. They falsely claimed that the Valmiki scam had taken place and ruined the lives of innocent people,” Nagendra said.

“SIT and CID investigations were conducted. Through a conspiracy, they brought in a CBI investigation and the ED and arrested me. I even went to jail for three months and returned. In the second chargesheet, they unnecessarily brought in my name,” he said.

The BJP and its ally Janata Dal (S) announced a 170 km padayatra from Raichur to Ballari from September 1 to demand Nagendra’s resignation over the alleged Valmiki scam.

“Nagendra has to resign sooner or later because he has committed corruption. Money has been credited to 600 accounts. That was government’s fund… The government’s money was used by the Congress party for elections in Telangana and the Ballari Lok Sabha elections, and to purchase gold for the family,” BJP MLC N. Ravi Kumar said.

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What are the next steps in the Valmiki scam investigation?

SIT and CID investigations were conducted into the alleged Valmiki scam. Investigating agencies, including the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED), have also been examining allegations surrounding the diversion of funds from the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.

Will B Nagendra face further legal action after his resignation?

B Nagendra has stated he is prepared to face the legal process after his resignation.

How will this resignation impact the Karnataka state government?

B. Nagendra’s resignation marks the first cabinet member to step down from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s government. Nagendra stated that opposition parties engaged in manipulative politics, preventing discussions on critical issues like drought and the Cauvery dispute. He also accused them of attempting to influence innocent people and prevent Dalits and Adivasis from becoming ministers.

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Saurabh VermaChief Sub-Editor

Saurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking power shifts, election strateg…Read More

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