Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka on Thursday, 27 August declared that the resignation of Cabinet Minister B. Nagendra is inevitable, stepping up pressure on the Congress-led state government over alleged irregularities in the Valmiki Development Corporation. Ashoka made the remarks at a press conference in Bengaluru, warning of a siege of the Chief Minister's residence if no action is taken within a week.

Key Allegations Against Minister Nagendra

Ashoka alleged that Nagendra's reinduction into the Cabinet was a deliberate move to shield the ruling party's leadership. 'Minister Nagendra has been taken back into the Cabinet because it would come out that the high command is the mastermind of the scam,' Ashoka alleged. He also raised the death of Chandrashekar, questioning why the official had died by suicide if there was no wrongdoing. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has submitted a petition to the Governor of Karnataka seeking a CBI and ED investigation into the matter.

BJP's Ultimatum to the Government

Ashoka issued a sharp ultimatum, stating that if the government does not act within one week, the BJP will lay siege to the Chief Minister's house. 'We have sent the message that those who swallowed Dalit money should not be in the Cabinet. Our struggle will certainly bear fruit, and Minister Nagendra's resignation is certain,' he said. The BJP leader accused the ruling dispensation of invoking caste solidarity only after the alleged looting of funds meant for Dalit communities.

Drought Declaration Called Inadequate

Ashoka also trained his guns on the state government's handling of the drought crisis, calling its declaration 'merely a formality.' He alleged that drought should have been declared across 175 taluks, but the government restricted the declaration to 89 taluks as severe and 12 taluks as moderate — reportedly due to a shortage of funds. Ashoka claimed to have written to the government earlier, urging a proactive declaration. He likened the delayed response to 'closing the fort gates after it has already been looted.' He also demanded compensation of ₹50,000 per acre for farmers, against the current allocation of ₹1 crore per taluk, which he called grossly insufficient.

Other Governance Failures Cited

The BJP leader flagged a range of additional grievances, including the non-implementation of the National Education Policy, encroachment on pedestrian paths, and what he described as the government's failure to deliver on its 'freedom from garbage' promise. He also questioned Home Minister Priyank Kharge's remarks on RSS registration, arguing that other associations — including Ganesh and Christian associations — face no such requirement. Ashoka also noted that despite being Leader of the Opposition, he has not been allotted an official residence. He added that the BJP's fight against the Bidadi Township Project and the NICE corridor issue will continue in the next legislative session.

What Happens Next

The BJP has set a one-week deadline for the government to act on Nagendra's position in the Cabinet. With the party having already petitioned the Governor for a federal agency probe, the political standoff is likely to intensify ahead of the next assembly session. The Valmiki Corporation case — involving funds earmarked for one of Karnataka's most marginalised communities — has emerged as a flashpoint that cuts across caste, accountability, and coalition politics in the state.