Karnataka CM does not rule out Minister Nagendra’s resignation, says all leaders are disciplined soldiers of party

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister, D.K. Shivakumar, on Wednesday did not rule out the possibility of Minister for Planning and Statistics B. Nagendra’s resignation amid mounting pressure on his government over the alleged tribal welfare irregularities case, saying that all leaders, ministers, MLAs and party workers are “disciplined soldiers” of the party.

“In our party, be it leaders or ministers, all those in the party, whether a worker, minister or MLA, all of them are disciplined soldiers of the party,” CM Shivakumar said when asked about the developments surrounding Nagendra. He, however, declined to elaborate and left the place.

Nagendra, Minister for Planning and Statistics, is facing allegations in connection with the alleged irregularities in the Tribal Welfare Department. His recent induction into the Cabinet has triggered strong opposition from the BJP, which has been demanding his resignation.

According to sources, Nagendra spoke to Chief Minister Shivakumar over the phone and offered to resign, saying that his continuation in the Cabinet was unnecessarily causing embarrassment to the party. He is also learnt to have told the Chief Minister that the BJP was targeting him and that he was willing to step down in the interest of the party’s image.

Sources said Shivakumar told Nagendra that he would convey the decision to the Congress high command and seek its approval before accepting the resignation. Nagendra is likely to submit his resignation later on Wednesday, subject to the high command’s approval.

The development comes amid mounting political pressure on the Karnataka government following the BJP’s sustained campaign against Nagendra’s induction into the Cabinet. The Opposition had repeatedly disrupted proceedings in the Legislative Assembly over the issue, and the Assembly session ended abruptly amid the confrontation.

Minister for Home Priyank Kharge and Minister for Primary and Secondary Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa are also learnt to have met CM Shivakumar at his residence and discussed the issue.

Bangarappa, when asked about the reported developments, said he had no information about Nagendra’s resignation.

“I do not know any information in this regard. I have not discussed this matter. I do not have any information in this regard,” he said.

Party insiders said the issue has become more sensitive with Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot considering a request for sanction to prosecute Nagendra. They said that if the Governor grants permission and Nagendra is subsequently taken into custody by the ED or CBI, it could cause further embarrassment to the government and the party.

Shivakumar had earlier maintained that Nagendra would not resign and would continue in the Cabinet. His latest statement, however, has not categorically ruled out Nagendra stepping down and has fuelled speculation that the government may be reconsidering its position.

Nagendra had recently defended his induction into the Cabinet, stating that he was only an accused and not a convict. He had also alleged that the BJP was targeting him because he was a Dalit leader.

The issue has also added to internal pressure within the Congress, with several senior leaders who were left out of the recent Cabinet expansion reportedly unhappy with the decision to induct Nagendra.

Meanwhile, Shivakumar is scheduled to travel to Delhi on Thursday and is likely to meet AICC General Secretary and Congress MP K.C. Venugopal. He is also expected to meet Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The Nagendra issue is likely to figure prominently in his discussions with the central leadership.

The BJP has further intensified its campaign against the government. The Karnataka unit has announced a 200-km padayatra from Raichur to Ballari from September 1 to 10 to highlight what it calls the failures of the state government. Ballari is Nagendra’s native district, and his resignation is expected to be one of the key demands during the padayatra.

IANS