Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has officially accepted the resignation of Minister B. Nagendra. The Raj Bhavan issued a formal notification on Sunday confirming the decision. The Governor acted on the formal advice of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Nagendra stepped down from the state cabinet following a multi-crore fund diversion scandal in the Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation.
Raj Bhavan Issues Formal Acceptance Notification
The official notification relieved Nagendra of all his ministerial portfolios with immediate effect. He previously held charge of Scheduled Tribes Welfare, Youth Empowerment, and Sports.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah forwarded the resignation letter to Raj Bhavan late Saturday evening.
Governor Gehlot accepted the recommendation without delay. The development brings an end to weeks of intense political speculation surrounding his continuation in office.
Stepping Down Amid Escalating CBI Investigation
Nagendra tendered his resignation after central investigating agencies escalated their legal probe. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) named the minister in a formal chargesheet.
The agency had also sought the Governor’s sanction for his prosecution. An emotional Nagendra announced his decision during a press conference in Bengaluru.
He maintained that he is innocent of all embezzlement charges. He stated that he resigned voluntarily to protect his party from political damage.
Political Pressure and Opposition Protests
The resignation follows relentless pressure from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and JD(S) alliance.
The opposition had disrupted the recent legislative assembly session over the multi-crore scam. BJP leaders had also announced a massive statewide protest march toward Ballari.
Congress managers moved swiftly to accept the resignation. The strategic exit blunted the opposition’s planned agitation before it could gain momentum.
Balancing Regional and Tribal Leadership in Congress
Nagendra represents the Ballari Rural constituency and commands strong support among Valmiki tribal communities. He defeated senior BJP leader B. Sriramulu in the 2023 assembly elections.
The Congress high command is now evaluating potential cabinet replacements to manage community representation. Party leaders want to ensure that tribal voters remain aligned with the ruling government.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
