Congress Defends Karnataka Minister B Nagendra Against Embezzlement Allegations
· India · Hindustan Times, The Hindu, Indian Express
The Karnataka Congress government has reaffirmed its support for Minister B Nagendra after accusations of misappropriating ₹84.63 crore from the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the minister would not resign and cited that no court had convicted him. Opposition parties BJP and JDS have staged a second‑day dharna in the Assembly demanding Nagendra’s removal. Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara reported that ₹5 crore was returned early and ₹79.68 crore has since been recovered, with work to recover the remaining sum underway. The government also highlighted criticism of the Enforcement Directorate and CBI by courts for acting on political whims.
Why it matters
The ruling party’s decision to uphold Nagendra shields a key minister from legal scrutiny, allowing him to continue overseeing tribal development programmes in Karnataka. The opposition’s continued pressure could influence the state parliament’s standing and the perceived integrity of governance.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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