In Tears, B Nagendra Quits Karnataka Cabinet, Second Time Over Same Corruption Scandal - NDTV

**In Tears, Karnataka Minister B Nagendra Quits Cabinet for a Second Time Over the Valmiki Scam**

Karnataka’s Forest, Ecology and Environment Minister B Nagendra tendered his resignation on Tuesday, breaking down in tears as he addressed reporters outside the chief minister’s residence. The minister, a Dalit leader from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said his decision was forced by “political victimisation” and reiterated that the accusations of financial irregularities against him stem from the long‑standing Valmiki Education Trust scandal. His resignation marks the second time he has stepped down over the same case, the first being a temporary withdrawal in July 2023 after the state government ordered a forensic audit of the trust’s accounts.

The Valmiki scandal centers on a private educational trust that allegedly received disproportionate grants from state schemes while falsifying project expenditures. A probe by the Karnataka Anti‑Corruption Bureau and a separate inquiry by the Enforcement Directorate have accused Nagendra of using his ministerial authority to secure approvals for the trust and of receiving illicit benefits worth several crores. The agencies have yet to file a charge‑sheet, but they have issued notice to the minister and are continuing to examine the flow of funds between the trust and various government departments.

Political responses were swift. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai accepted Nagendra’s resignation, stating that the government “cannot afford any distraction” while the allegations are investigated. The BJP’s state leadership expressed disappointment but promised to cooperate with the probes, urging the opposition not to politicise the matter. Leaders of the Dalit Panthers of India condemned the treatment of Nagendra, labeling it “targeted harassment” against a Dalit representative. The opposition Congress and JD(S) parties called for a parliamentary inquiry, while civil‑society groups demanded a transparent, expeditious resolution. Nagendra also announced that he would resign as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, triggering a by‑poll in the Bhatkal‑Supa constituency later this year.