Bengaluru, Aug 2026 : Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister B Nagendra resigned from the state Cabinet on Friday amid mounting pressure from the Opposition over the alleged irregularities in the Valmiki tribal welfare corporation. Nagendra submitted his resignation to Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, while maintaining that he was innocent and had decided to step down voluntarily to prevent further embarrassment to the Congress government and its leadership.
Speaking at a joint press conference at Vidhana Soudha, Nagendra said Shivakumar had assured him that he was not responsible for any wrongdoing. However, he said he chose to resign in the larger interest of the party and the government.
“Chief minister D K Shivakumar has told me that I am innocent at all levels. But, on my own, and to ensure that the party is not embarrassed because of me, I am submitting my resignation letter to the chief minister,” Nagendra said. He is also reportedly considering stepping down as an MLA.
His resignation will now have to be forwarded to the Governor for approval. However, the Congress leadership is reportedly weighing whether to accept the resignation or retain him in the Cabinet. Party leaders are expected to discuss the political implications before taking a final decision.
Sources said Shivakumar is likely to hold further discussions with Nagendra and could seek to pacify him by assuring additional developmental assistance for his constituency. The party leadership is also expected to reiterate its support for him as the investigation progresses.
Nagendra, who belongs to the Dalit community, strongly rejected allegations against him and accused the Opposition of politically targeting him. He invoked the Constitution and said he would continue to oppose any attempt to push Dalits, Adivasis, women and minorities back into what he described as an outdated social order.
“I am a Dalit. The Manuvadis have been fighting against the rise of Dalits for a long time. They will not succeed in stopping us. I have complete faith in the Constitution,” he said.
The former minister argued that the Valmiki Corporation case had already been investigated by the state police CID and the Special Investigation Team. He questioned why the issue was repeatedly being raised against him and alleged that the CBI chargesheet had been filed hastily and that his name was being dragged into the controversy for political reasons.
Nagendra appealed to the Congress high command for an opportunity to present his side and challenged the BJP to produce evidence against him. “Give me one opportunity. Let us go to the people’s court. I am ready to enter the political akhada and fight. I am confident that I will come out clean,” he said.
He also thanked Shivakumar, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Siddaramaiah, K C Venugopal, Randeep Singh Surjewala and other party leaders for supporting him during the controversy.
The resignation came after sustained attacks from the BJP, which had repeatedly demanded Nagendra’s removal and disrupted legislative proceedings over the issue. Nagendra accused the Opposition of deliberately preventing discussion on other public matters, including drought, Cauvery water disputes and KPSC-related issues.
He also criticised BJP leaders for what he described as politically motivated attacks on Dalit and Adivasi leaders. Referring to the Constitution drafted under the leadership of B R Ambedkar, he said, “I am not Shambuka. I will not become one. This is the era of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Constitution.”
Nagendra further questioned what he called the BJP’s differing standards on political controversies, referring to the electoral bonds issue and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
He also challenged BJP leaders from Ballari to face him politically, saying he was prepared to take his case directly to the people.
Nagendra’s resignation provides some immediate relief to the Congress government, which had faced growing political pressure over the Valmiki Corporation controversy. The BJP, however, is expected to continue raising the issue and demanding accountability from the government.
Despite stepping down as minister, Nagendra made it clear that he has no intention of leaving politics.
“I have resigned as a minister. I have not resigned from politics. I will enter the political arena and prove my strength before the people,” he said.
