BJP workers clash with Bengaluru police during protest seeking Minister Nagendra’s resignation

A scuffle broke out between police and BJP workers outside the Vikasa Soudha in Bengaluru on Monday (August 24) as Opposition party cadres and senior leaders marched toward the state legislature, demanding Minister B Nagendra's resignation over allegations involving funds linked to the Karnataka Dalit Valmiki Corporation.

Police stopped the protesters near the gates, where the confrontation turned physical as BJP leaders tried to move past the barricades. Several party workers, including BJP leader CT Ravi, were detained during the protest.

The BJP also held a parallel protest at Freedom Park under the leadership of Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, with party leaders and workers raising slogans against the Congress government and demanding Nagendra's resignation.

BJP demands Nagendra’s resignation

The development comes after a call from Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, who had announced a plan to "lay siege" to the Vidhana Soudha with support from the JD(S).

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The saffron party has accused the Congress government of failing to account for Rs 187 crore associated with the Valmiki Corporation. Ashoka alleged that the money was diverted from the state treasury for Congress election campaigns in Karnataka and Telangana.

Ashoka alleges diversion of Valmiki funds

Refuting the allegation that Nagendra was being singled out because he is a Dalit, Ashoka said, "This is not simply about Nagendra. It is about Nagendra in connection with the Rs 187 crore of Dalit money belonging to the Valmiki Corporation that was allegedly siphoned off,” reported ANI.

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Ashoka accused the Congress government of using force against demonstrators. Restating the BJP's demand for Nagendra's resignation, he said, "Because B Nagendra has looted the Valmiki money... more than 180 crores. So this must be returned. That's why we are protesting in front of the Vidhan Soudha. Vidhan Soudha mutthige (siege). The police have handled us roughly. This government is attacking the opposition. This is not good. We are protesting silently. But the Congress people are attacking us. This is not good. This protest (dharna) will continue.”

Ashoka said the party would continue its dharna outside the legislature, alleging that police had treated protesters roughly.

Calls Shivakumar 'hooligan'

Referring to Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's statement calling the opposition "hooligans", Vijayendra said, "Shivakumar, you are the hooligan. No one needs to teach us what hooliganism is. Today, you are trying to suppress our protest." BJP MLC N Ravikumar alleged that the investigation had revealed expenditure of huge sums during elections.

"I said Rs 20 crore was spent for the Lok Sabha election. We spent Rs 180 crore on people's elections. These are facts that have emerged from the investigation," he said.

LoP Ashoka demanded Nagendra's resignation and questioned his re-induction into the cabinet.

"If he has any dignity and honour, he should come and resign. He should explain whether the Dalits were cheated or not, why he was arrested and why he was dismissed," Ashoka said.

"Instead, they are giving him bonus after bonus. You have all shared the money, and we will not let him off," he said.

Congress asks BJP to debate in Assembly

Reacting to the development, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge rejected the BJP's approach and urged the opposition to raise the matter inside the Assembly.

He questioned whether Nagendra had been convicted and said the government had already placed its position on record.

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"Is Nagendra a convicted person?" Kharge asked, urging the BJP to submit a notice and debate the allegations on the Assembly floor. He also questioned whether the opposition had seen the CBI charge sheet, asking, "Have you seen the CBI charge sheet? Has the Governor seen it?"

What is the alleged scam about

The alleged scam came to light after funds belonging to the Corporation were allegedly transferred to various bank accounts. The matter gained wider attention following the suicide of the accounts superintendent of the Corporation, P Chandrasekharan, and the recovery of a note.

The CBI subsequently investigated the case and filed a charge sheet in which Nagendra's name was mentioned. The BJP has cited the charge sheet and a communication from the CBI to the Governor to demand his removal from the cabinet.

Nagendra had earlier resigned as minister amid the controversy. He was subsequently inducted into the cabinet again after D K Shivakumar became Chief Minister.

(With agency inputs)