BJP doing politics with Nagendra issue, says Shivakumar; defends ex-min's resignation
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday accused the BJP of using B Nagendra's resignation as a minister for political purposes.
He said the Opposition was more interested in its planned padayatra than discussing issues concerning the state's farmers and people, he said in an apparent reference to the BJP-JD(S) proposed footmarch from September 1-10 regarding Nagendra.
"What BJP is doing is politics. For them, politics is more important and not the people's lives. The welfare of the state is not important to them," Shivakumar told reporters here.
The chief minister was responding to questions on the BJP's decision to continue its proposed padayatra from Raichur to Ballari despite Nagendra's resignation on Friday.
The BJP has described the resignation as a result of its sustained agitation over the Rs 89 crore scam in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation and said it would continue its campaign seeking accountability.
Shivakumar accused the BJP of avoiding discussions on irrigation and other pressing issues, including the Cauvery water dispute, drought and the Tungabhadra situation.
"They do not want to discuss irrigation. They don't want to discuss what the Cauvery issue is, what the drought situation is, or how the Tungabhadra issue was successfully handled," he said.
Shivakumar said he had invited the Opposition to give a notice and come for discussions instead of pursuing political protests.
On Nagendra's resignation, Shivakumar said his party collague had voluntarily stepped down to protect the Congress from embarrassment.
"He came voluntarily and said, 'I will sacrifice myself for the party,' and resigned. I am sending it to the Governor today," he said.
Nagendra, who was reinducted into the Cabinet on August 3 with the Planning and Statistics portfolio, resigned on Friday amid renewed political pressure over the alleged Valmiki Corporation fund irregularities. He had earlier resigned as minister in June 2024 after the allegations surfaced.
The controversy centres on alleged diversion of funds from the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
The BJP had been demanding Nagendra's removal and intensified protests in the Assembly and outside it, culminating in its announcement of the Raichur-Ballari padayatra from September 1 to 10.
Even after Nagendra's resignation, the BJP has maintained that its agitation would continue, saying his stepping down was only the beginning of its campaign and that those responsible for the alleged diversion of funds must be held accountable.
Shivakumar also accused the BJP and the NDA of being unable to accept his becoming chief minister.
"They are unable to digest my becoming chief minister. None of them is able to digest it. The NDA is unable to digest it. Poor fellows, they are doing what they are doing. Let them do well," he said.
