Karnataka: BJP to stall Assembly session unless minister Nagendra removed
The Opposition BJP in Karnataka has announced that it will not allow the functioning of the Monsoon Session of the state legislature unless minister B. Nagendra is removed from the Cabinet. Mr. Nagendra was inducted into the Congress-led government despite facing an ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe and several other cases.
Addressing reporters in Bengaluru on Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok said the party would stage protests both inside and outside the legislature until Mr. Nagendra resigns. “If the Congress government has any responsibility towards conducting the legislature session, it should first demand Mr. Nagendra’s resignation. Issues such as the Bidadi Township Project and the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) need to be discussed in this session. But any debate can take place only if Nagendra resigns,” he said.
Mr. Ashok added that the BJP has already started agitations in all district headquarters and would intensify its campaign. He demanded a clear explanation from the government on why Mr. Nagendra was removed from the ministry earlier following allegations of misappropriation of funds meant for Scheduled Tribe welfare, and why he has now been reinstated.
The Leader of the Opposition listed the cases against Mr. Nagendra, stating that he faces three cases with the CBI, five with the Lokayukta, one with the Special Investigation Team, a CID case in Karwar, a case in Chennai, and a total of 31 cases under investigation. “Mr. Nagendra is still an accused and has to appear in court every day. In this situation, when will he find the time to come to Vidhana Soudha and attend to his department’s work?” Mr. Ashok questioned.
Referring to the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation case, Mr. Ashok noted that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had admitted that ₹89 crore was misappropriated out of the alleged embezzlement of ₹187 crore. He also alleged that Mr. Nagendra may have “blackmailed” the Chief Minister and the high command, a statement that remains an allegation and has not been substantiated.
Taking exception to the delay in allocation of portfolios, Mr. Ashok remarked, “If the Chief Minister alone is going to answer all the questions in the legislature session, then all Ministers should be thrown out of the session.” This indicates the opposition’s determination to press its demand during the session.
The Congress government, led by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, has not yet responded officially to the BJP’s threat. The Monsoon Session is expected to begin soon, and the standoff is likely to create a stormy atmosphere if the deadlock continues. The BJP has not, however, specified the exact form of disruption it plans, leaving room for potential parliamentary procedures or protests.
Mr. Nagendra’s induction into the Cabinet has been a contentious issue since his appointment. The Congress has defended it in the past, but the opposition’s repeated demands for his removal have escalated. With the legislature session approaching, this political confrontation is set to dominate the proceedings.
