Nagendra innocent, says Shivakumar amid tribal welfare scam row in Karnataka
Synopsis
Karnataka CM Shivakumar broke ranks with the speculation cycle on Wednesday, publicly vouching for Minister Nagendra's innocence in the tribal welfare scam and ruling out any fresh resignation — even as the government simultaneously announced removal of over one crore names from electoral rolls and a plan to distribute 50,000 residential sites per district. The dual messaging underscores a Congress government trying to project stability while managing compounding controversies.
Key Takeaways
Shivakumar on 26 August dismissed speculation that Minister B.
Nagendra was considering resignation over the tribal welfare scam .
Shivakumar called Nagendra 'a disciplined soldier of the party' and said the government has 'immense confidence in his leadership.' The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has seen more than one crore names removed, according to Shivakumar.
Panchayat and municipal elections are targeted for November , to be held after the SIR process is completed.
The government plans to distribute 50,000 residential sites per district to low-income families; the Revenue Department has identified land.
Shivakumar ruled out handing park land to private parties, accusing past governments of doing exactly that.
Karnataka Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on Wednesday, 26 August firmly dismissed speculation that Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra — accused in the tribal welfare scam — was mulling resignation, describing him as a disciplined party soldier whose leadership the government fully backs. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said Nagendra had a track record of never retreating on party matters.
Shivakumar's Defence of Nagendra
'He is a disciplined soldier of the party. He is innocent. Nevertheless, we had accepted his resignation earlier. We have immense confidence in his leadership,' Shivakumar stated. The remarks signal that the ruling Indian National Congress (INC) government in Karnataka intends to stand by Nagendra despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the scam, which has drawn sustained Opposition fire.
Electoral Roll Revision and Voting Rights
Shivakumar also addressed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, claiming that more than one crore names had been removed from the rolls. He said the government was actively issuing permanent resident and caste certificates and had urged election authorities to hold booth-level meetings and publish updated rolls. 'MLAs have been instructed to create awareness among people about the power of their vote and their right to vote. Eligible voters should not be deprived of their rights,' he added. Panchayat and municipal elections, he said, would be held by November, with the government set to write to the State Election Commission to conduct them immediately after the SIR process concludes.
Residential Sites for Low-Income Families
The Chief Minister announced that the government had decided to distribute 50,000 residential sites to low-income families in each district. The Revenue Department has already identified land for the purpose, and MLAs have been directed to compile comprehensive details about eligible beneficiaries. 'Bogus bills and irregularities in development works should not be allowed,' Shivakumar cautioned, signalling a push for greater accountability in implementation.
Park Land Legislation and Opposition Criticism
Responding to Opposition criticism over proposed legislation on the use of park land, Shivakumar argued that such land could be legally deployed for public-purpose development works, including road widening. 'We will not allow it to be given to private individuals,' he said, accusing previous governments of allotting land to their own parties and supporters. The remarks come amid broader scrutiny of the Karnataka government's land-use policies, with the Opposition seeking to link the issue to a pattern of governance lapses.
What Comes Next
With the tribal welfare scam investigation ongoing and the SIR process set to conclude ahead of local body elections, pressure on the Shivakumar-led government is unlikely to ease in the near term. Whether Nagendra retains his portfolio through the political turbulence will be a key indicator of the Congress government's internal cohesion heading into the November election cycle.
Point of View
Not just a loyalty statement. By invoking 'accepted his resignation earlier,' the CM is reminding observers that the Congress already extracted its pound of flesh — and is now choosing to redeploy an asset rather than sacrifice him again. The real question is whether the tribal welfare scam investigation produces fresh findings that force the government's hand, regardless of the CM's confidence. The simultaneous announcement on electoral rolls and residential sites reads as a deliberate effort to shift the news cycle — a sign that the government is acutely aware of how much oxygen the scam controversy is consuming.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tribal welfare scam linked to Minister B. Nagendra?
The tribal welfare scam involves allegations of financial irregularities in Karnataka's tribal welfare programmes, with Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra named as an accused. The investigation is ongoing, and Nagendra had earlier submitted his resignation, which the government accepted before the current controversy over a fresh resignation resurfaced.
Why did CM Shivakumar publicly defend Nagendra on 26 August?
Shivakumar dismissed media speculation that Nagendra was again considering stepping down, calling him innocent and expressing full confidence in his leadership. The move signals the Congress government's intent to retain Nagendra in the cabinet despite the scam accusations.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Karnataka?
The SIR is a process to update and clean up voter rolls. Karnataka CM Shivakumar said more than one crore names have been removed, and the government is issuing permanent resident and caste certificates to ensure eligible voters are not left off the rolls.
When will panchayat and municipal elections be held in Karnataka?
CM Shivakumar said local body elections — panchayat and municipal — are targeted for November, and the government will write to the State Election Commission to schedule them immediately after the SIR process is completed.
What is the Karnataka government's plan for residential sites?
The government has decided to distribute 50,000 residential sites to low-income families in each district. The Revenue Department has identified land, and MLAs have been asked to collect details about eligible beneficiaries.
