Karnataka Minister B Nagendra Quits Again Amid Valmiki Corp Scam Pressure

B Nagendra's political career has come full circle. The Congress leader, who was re-inducted into the Karnataka cabinet earlier this year, has resigned once again over the same corruption allegations that forced him out in 2024. This time, he stepped down from Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's council of ministers.

Nagendra's first resignation came in June 2024, when Siddaramaiah was Chief Minister. The controversy began in May 2024, following the death of Chandrasekharan P, an accounts officer with the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. The officer's suicide note alleged an unauthorised transfer of Rs 89.63 crore.

The BJP launched a sustained campaign demanding Nagendra's resignation at the time. He complied but maintained his innocence. The Enforcement Directorate later arrested him, though he is currently out on bail.

His political comeback came after DK Shivakumar assumed the Chief Minister's post. Nagendra was re-inducted into the cabinet on August 3, 2026, and given the Planning and Statistics portfolio. However, the BJP renewed its offensive, especially after the CBI named him as an accused in its chargesheet, alleging financial irregularities and illegal gratification.

The opposition's protests disrupted the state assembly, leading to an indefinite adjournment three days ahead of schedule. The BJP also announced a padayatra from Raichur to Ballari to intensify pressure.

Nagendra broke down while announcing his resignation on Friday. He claimed that Shivakumar had advised him not to resign, but he chose to step down to prevent the controversy from hampering the Congress government's functioning.