Nagendra's resignation tears will cost BJP Karnataka, says Bangarappa
Synopsis
Karnataka minister Madhu Bangarappa has gone on the offensive, declaring that B. Nagendra's emotional resignation over the Valmiki Development Corporation row will haunt the BJP among Dalit voters — while turning the tables on the BJP-JD(S) alliance by demanding a padayatra against their own Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, whose prosecution sanction has reportedly sat with the Governor for three years.
Key Takeaways
Madhu Bangarappa said B.
Nagendra's tearful resignation over the Valmiki Development Corporation issue would lead to the BJP's downfall in Karnataka.
Bangarappa described Nagendra as a four-time MLA and a prominent Dalit and Scheduled Caste leader, calling the BJP's allegations politically motivated.
He challenged Leader of Opposition R.
Ashoka , questioning his authority to press charges outside an official investigative role.
Bangarappa pointed out that a request for the Governor's sanction to prosecute Union Minister H.D.
Kumaraswamy has been pending for three years without a response.
He criticised the Opposition for disrupting the Monsoon Session instead of debating pressing issues such as the drought , the Cauvery water dispute , and the Kasturirangan report .
Karnataka School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa on Saturday said that the tears shed by B. Nagendra — Minister for Planning and Statistics — at the time of his resignation over what Bangarappa described as politically motivated corruption allegations, would prove costly for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka. Speaking at his home office in Bengaluru, Bangarappa also challenged the BJP-Janata Dal (Secular) (JD(S)) alliance to first conduct a padayatra against Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy before targeting the ruling government.
Bangarappa Defends Nagendra
Bangarappa was unequivocal in his defence of Nagendra, describing him as a four-time MLA and a prominent leader from the Dalit and Scheduled Caste community. He alleged that the BJP's campaign against Nagendra in connection with the Valmiki Development Corporation issue was driven by political motives rather than factual evidence.
'Nagendra is innocent. After examining and discussing the investigation reports, we know that there is no truth in the allegations against him. The way the BJP treated a four-time elected Dalit leader has hurt not only Nagendra but also the marginalised communities,' Bangarappa said.
Attack on Opposition Leaders
Bangarappa sharply rebuked Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka for pressing charges against Nagendra, questioning his authority to do so. 'Is R. Ashoka a CBI officer to argue the case against Nagendra? Investigating agencies will do their job. If something comes up at Ashoka's doorstep someday, he will understand what the BJP is all about,' he said.
He also took aim at BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra, asking whether Vijayendra had forgotten what Bangarappa called the 'fake signature issue', as BJP leaders were seen celebrating Nagendra's resignation in media appearances. 'They are behaving as if nobody is as honest as them,' Bangarappa remarked.
The Kumaraswamy Angle
Bangarappa turned the tables on the BJP-JD(S) alliance over their proposed padayatra, pointing out that a request for the Governor's sanction to prosecute Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy had been pending for three years without a response. He questioned whether Kumaraswamy was being shielded because of his current alliance with the BJP.
'Is there an exemption for Kumaraswamy because he is now in an alliance with you? Is there one law for them and another for us? First, let the BJP-JD(S) leaders undertake a padayatra against Kumaraswamy,' he said pointedly.
Assembly Session and Missed Opportunities
Bangarappa also criticised the Opposition for disrupting the Monsoon Session of the Assembly rather than engaging in structured debate. He said the government had itself invited the Opposition to submit proper notice and participate in a discussion on the Nagendra matter, but the offer was spurned.
He lamented that pressing state concerns — including the drought situation, the Cauvery water dispute, and the Kasturirangan report — were sidelined for political point-scoring. The political row over Nagendra's resignation is expected to continue as the BJP maintains pressure on the ruling Congress government ahead of upcoming political cycles in the state.
Point of View
The Congress is attempting to convert a corruption-linked liability into a caste-solidarity asset. The Kumaraswamy prosecution angle is a well-worn deflection, but its potency lies in the fact that the three-year-old sanction request is a verifiable, unanswered question. The BJP's visible celebrations of Nagendra's exit, if widely circulated, could reinforce the Congress messaging among marginalised communities — the very voters both parties are courting. Whether Nagendra's innocence holds up under investigation will ultimately determine who wins this narrative war.
NationPress
29 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did B. Nagendra resign as Karnataka minister?
B. Nagendra resigned from his post as Karnataka's Minister for Planning and Statistics amid allegations of corruption linked to the Valmiki Development Corporation issue. He and his party colleagues have described the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
What did Madhu Bangarappa say about Nagendra's resignation?
Bangarappa said Nagendra's tearful exit would prove costly for the BJP in Karnataka, arguing the party was targeting a four-time Dalit MLA for political reasons. He maintained that investigation reports showed no truth in the allegations against Nagendra.
Why did Bangarappa bring up H.D. Kumaraswamy?
Bangarappa challenged the BJP-JD(S) alliance's proposed padayatra by pointing out that a request for the Governor's sanction to prosecute Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has been pending for three years without a response. He accused the alliance of applying a different standard to its own leaders.
Who is B. Nagendra and why does his community affiliation matter?
B. Nagendra is a four-time MLA and a prominent leader from Karnataka's Dalit and Scheduled Caste communities. Both Bangarappa and the Congress have framed the BJP's actions against him as an attack on marginalised community representation, making the issue politically sensitive beyond the immediate corruption row.
What happened during the Karnataka Monsoon Session over this issue?
Bangarappa said the government had invited the Opposition to submit proper notice and hold a structured debate on the Nagendra matter, but the Opposition instead disrupted the Assembly proceedings. He argued this cost the House valuable time that could have been spent on drought, the Cauvery water dispute, and the Kasturirangan report.
