Karnataka Assembly Disrupted Over Demand for Minister B Nagendra's Removal

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly was disrupted on Monday after BJP and JD(S) members demanded the removal of Minister B Nagendra from the Cabinet, making his return to the government a key issue during the ongoing monsoon session.

The Opposition raised the issue soon after Speaker G S Patil called for Question Hour. Leader of Opposition R Ashoka and BJP MLA Sunil Kumar demanded that Nagendra be removed. Ashoka said the Opposition would not allow the House to function until the demand was addressed. The Speaker later adjourned proceedings temporarily following continued protests and sloganeering.

Nagendra, who holds the Planning and Statistics portfolio, had resigned from the previous Siddaramaiah-led Cabinet in 2024 following allegations related to the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. He was inducted into the D K Shivakumar-led Cabinet on August 3.

The CBI filed chargesheets in June naming Nagendra as an accused in cases relating to alleged misappropriation involving the corporation and two other government entities. The proceedings remain subject to the legal process, and the allegations do not amount to a finding of guilt.

For the BJP and JD(S), Nagendra's return has become an accountability issue, while the government faces the challenge of defending its Cabinet decision and ensuring that legislative proceedings continue.

The issue is expected to remain a point of discussion during the ongoing Assembly session.