Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President B.Y. Vijayendra on Friday, 28 August declared that the party's agitation over the alleged Valmiki Development Corporation scam would continue well beyond the resignation of minister B. Nagendra, insisting that the ₹185 crore allegedly diverted from the corporation must be fully recovered and returned for the welfare of the affected tribal communities. Vijayendra made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Shivamogga.

Nagendra's Resignation: More Questions Than Answers

Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra on Friday announced his resignation from the Cabinet, stating he was stepping down to prevent embarrassment to the Congress party and its leadership over the alleged scam. However, Vijayendra said the resignation raised more questions than it resolved. 'There are many doubts about whether he has resigned and whether the resignation has been accepted. Once there is clarity, I will respond,' he said.

Vijayendra questioned why Nagendra had been inducted into the Cabinet 'in such haste' without first receiving a clean chit in the alleged scam. He alleged that pressure from the Congress high command had driven the induction, and that the Chief Minister himself had been reluctant. 'There is no doubt that the high command has a role in this,' he alleged.

Key Demands: Recovery of Funds and Accountability

Vijayendra stressed that the BJP's core demand was not merely a ministerial exit but the full recovery of the allegedly diverted ₹185 crore and its return to the Valmiki Development Corporation for use by exploited communities. Citing details from an Enforcement Directorate (ED) press release, he alleged that a portion of the funds had been used to purchase gold and liquor and spent at bars.

He further alleged that some of the diverted money may have been passed on to the Congress high command as a form of 'tribute'. 'There has been considerable discussion about money being given to the Congress high command in the form of a tribute. The truth behind all this must come out,' he said. He reiterated that the BJP would press its agitation until those responsible were held accountable and the full facts emerged.

Officer's Family Left Without Benefits, BJP Alleges

Vijayendra also trained his criticism on the state government over the case of officer P. Chandrashekhar, who died by suicide after reportedly raising concerns about alleged irregularities in the corporation. When reporters pointed out that Chandrashekhar's family had allegedly not received even his provident fund benefits, Vijayendra accused the Congress government of lacking 'humanity'.

'He was an honest officer from the Bovi community in Shivamogga. If his family has not received the benefits due to them, including his PF, it shows how seriously the government has treated this case,' he said.

Drought Governance Also Under Fire

Separately, Vijayendra criticised the state government for allegedly failing to facilitate a proper Assembly discussion on the drought situation, accusing it of having 'hurriedly declared some taluks drought-affected merely as a formality'. He alleged that the government had also failed to submit a proper report to the Centre on the drought. 'The government has repeatedly failed on the drought issue,' he said.

Shivamogga district BJP President N.K. Jagadish was present during the interaction. The BJP's proposed padayatra, Vijayendra clarified, was not restricted to the demand for Nagendra's resignation — it was part of a broader push for accountability in the alleged scam.