B Nagendra Resigns Again Over Valmiki Corporation Scam

B Nagendra has resigned as minister amid renewed opposition pressure over the Valmiki Corporation scam in Karnataka, following allegations involving misuse of funds meant for Scheduled Tribe welfare.

The Valmiki Corporation controversy has once again shaken Karnataka politics, with minister B Nagendra announcing his decision to step down from the cabinet. His resignation comes after strong demands from the opposition and growing political pressure over the alleged financial irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.

Nagendra had earlier resigned from the cabinet on June 6, 2024, when Siddaramaiah was the chief minister, after the scam came under intense scrutiny. He later returned to the government and took oath as a minister in Chief Minister D K Shivakumar’s cabinet on August 3, 2026. His return had been strongly opposed by the BJP and JD(S), which continued to raise the issue during the legislature session.

The latest resignation means Nagendra has now stepped away from ministerial office for the second time in connection with the same controversy.

BJP and JD(S) leaders had intensified their attack during the recent legislative session, demanding that Nagendra be removed from the cabinet. The opposition had also announced a political march over the issue, adding further pressure on the government.

The controversy centres on alleged illegal diversion of money belonging to the Valmiki Corporation. The funds were intended for welfare and development programmes for Karnataka’s Scheduled Tribe communities. The matter came to public attention after the corporation’s accounts superintendent, Chandrashekaran P, died by suicide at his residence in Shivamogga in May 2024.

Investigations into the case found that a large amount of money had allegedly been transferred from the Union Bank of India’s MG Road branch using forged documents and signatures. Reports surrounding the case stated that out of around 187 crore rupees allocated to the corporation, nearly 88 crore to 89.6 crore rupees had been moved to unauthorised accounts.

The alleged financial irregularities quickly became a major political issue, with opposition parties questioning the government’s handling of the corporation and demanding accountability from those responsible.

Nagendra’s second exit from the cabinet is therefore being viewed as another significant development in a case that has continued to attract political attention. His decision follows discussions with the party leadership and comes at a time when the opposition has been pressing the government for stronger action.

For the Congress government, the resignation also comes with the challenge of addressing wider questions surrounding the management of welfare funds. The opposition is expected to continue demanding answers on how the money was moved, who was responsible and whether adequate safeguards were in place.

B Nagendra’s resignation may ease some immediate political pressure, but the larger Valmiki Corporation scam remains a matter of investigation and public debate. The focus is now likely to shift towards the ongoing legal proceedings, financial recovery and fixing responsibility for the alleged irregularities.