Karnataka’s Tribal Welfare and Sports Minister B Nagendra resigned on Thursday following a scandal involving the illegal transfer of ₹89.63 crore in government funds to unidentified individuals in Hyderabad. Representing Ballari Rural in the assembly, Nagendra stepped down after the BJP intensified its campaign for his resignation, dismissing the defense put forth by Congress leaders.
The ruling Congress abandoned its support for Nagendra as the BJP highlighted the issue as a significant scam under CM Siddaramaiah’s administration. In response, the government has established a special investigation team to probe the matter, while the CBI has initiated its own investigation based on a complaint from the Union Bank of India. The BJP, having marched to the Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru and petitioned the governor about the scam, later accused the CM of being aware of the illegal fund transfers.
The funds, allocated to the Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation for the welfare of scheduled tribe members, were allegedly siphoned off by a group of fraudsters between February 21 and May 6 this year. The fraud was discovered on May 24, when the corporation’s managing director wrote to UBI’s MG Road branch, requesting the restoration of the debited funds, as none of the transactions during that period had been authorized.
