Karnataka Minister B Nagendra Resigns Following Prosecution Sanction

B Nagendra resigned from the Karnataka state cabinet on Friday, just twenty-five days after being re-inducted into the government led by Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. The resignation occurred shortly after Governor Thawarchand Gehlot granted sanction for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute the Ballari Rural lawmaker. Nagendra announced his decision in tears at the Vidhana Soudha, while facing charges linked to the alleged misappropriation of funds at the Karnataka State Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation during his previous tenure as welfare minister.

The investigation centers on allegations of illicitly diverting ₛ94.73 crore from the Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation to private accounts during the 2023-24 period. Although a state-level Special Investigation Team had not previously found direct evidence of his involvement—leading to his initial re-induction on August 3—the CBI has since charged Nagendra with benefiting from ₛ13.95 crore in contracts awarded by the corporation. Nagendra, who had also resigned from the previous cabinet under former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in 2024, vehemently denies the allegations, labeling the probe as politically motivated and an attack by the Bharatiya Janata Party on leaders from backward communities.

The resignation has created significant political turbulence, with the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party planning a 170-kilometer protest march across Raichur and Ballari districts starting September 1. Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who previously defended the minister in the legislature by citing a lack of documentary evidence, must now navigate a potential cabinet reshuffle. Potential candidates mentioned to fill the vacancy include Annapurna Tukaram, Basavaraj Shivappanavar, and M Krishnappa. Nagendra has indicated he may resign his assembly seat to seek a fresh mandate from the public to prove his innocence.