Karnataka Congress leader B Nagendra has resigned from the state Cabinet for the second time amid renewed controversy over the alleged Valmiki Corporation fund irregularities.
Nagendra became emotional while announcing his resignation on Friday, saying he was being targeted because he belongs to the Dalit community. He also questioned why he should be held responsible for transactions allegedly involving banks and maintained that his signature was not linked to the disputed transfers.
This is Nagendra’s second resignation over the issue. He had earlier stepped down as Tribal Welfare Minister in June 2024 after allegations surfaced of unauthorised diversion of funds from the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
He was re-inducted into the Cabinet on August 3, 2026, after the change in Karnataka’s leadership, and was given the Planning and Statistics portfolio.
The controversy began after corporation accounts superintendent P Chandrasekharan died by suicide in May 2024, leaving behind a note alleging financial irregularities. Investigators later found that ₹89.63 crore was transferred from a corporation account to a Union Bank of India account and subsequently moved through multiple accounts.
The BJP and JD(S) have continued demanding Nagendra’s removal and announced a foot march from Raichur to Ballari from September 1 to 10.