Karnataka: BJP stalls Assembly seeking removal of minister B Nagendra

Bengaluru: The BJP stalled Assembly proceedings for the third day on Wednesday, demanding the resignation of Planning & Statistics Minister B Nagendra over an ED money-laundering case.

The BJP allowed the question hour but blocked other legislative business, insisting that Nagendra be removed from the Cabinet. The party raised the same demand in the Legislative Council.

Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara rejected the demand, maintaining that Nagendra was innocent and had no role in the alleged irregularities.


The ED named Nagendra as an accused in the money-laundering case arising from the alleged diversion of funds from the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, which implements welfare schemes for Scheduled Tribe communities.

Nagendra, the Ballari Rural MLA, resigned as the Scheduled Tribes Welfare Minister in 2024 after allegations emerged that funds meant for the corporation had been diverted.

The alleged scam triggered a political confrontation between the Congress government and the BJP, with the Opposition demanding accountability. Nagendra was subsequently re-inducted into the Cabinet in the recent expansion, drawing fresh criticism from the BJP.