BENGALURU: The monsoon session of the Karnataka legislature was curtailed by three days and adjourned sine die on Monday, amid sustained protests by the Opposition demanding the resignation of Planning and Statistics Minister B Nagendra. The session, which began on August 13, was scheduled to end on August 27. Nagendra’s issue dominated the proceedings of both the Houses with the Opposition’s protests and sloganeering demanding his dismissal from the cabinet over his alleged involvement in the multi-crore Maharshi Valmiki ST Corporation scam.
On Monday, BJP and JDS legislators staged protests jumping into the well in the Assembly demanding the dismissal of Nagendra from the cabinet forcing Speaker GS Patil to adjourn the session sine die.
It threw cold water on the Opposition’s plan to hold an overnight sit-in in the House on Monday.
Earlier in the day, the ministers insisted that the Opposition MLAs take part in the discussion on drought and other pressing issues. The BJP members, however, turned down the offer insisting that they will not budge until Nagendra resigns.
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka questioned the Congress’ priority of safeguarding one minister over one crore Dalits. “The State Government constitutes a fact finding committee for the NICE and Bidadi Township row... why not for the Nagendra case?” Ashoka said.
Ashoka announced that he would hold a day-night dharna in the House condemning the government’s stance.
Meanwhile, Excise Minister KM Shivalinge Gowda said that the State Government is ready for a discussion.
Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar from BJP said that they are ready to discuss any issue, but only after Nagendra resigns. At this juncture, there was heated exchange of words between the Opposition and Treasury benches. BJP members jumped into the well of the House and protested following which the business was adjourned.
Post lunch, the Assembly convened only at 5 pm. The Opposition, however, stuck to its stand seeking Nagendra’s resignation. Despite this noise and uproar, the State Government has succeeded in passing some important bills.
Meanwhile, Ashoka said, “This is a blunt government as it has failed to get the resignation of the minister involved in corruption”.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Krishna Byre Gowda pleaded with the Opposition to cooperate and take part in discussions concerning drought. But Ashoka said that the State Government is showing its indifference by not accepting the resignation of the minister.
Amid the din, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar got approval of a supplementary estimate of Rs 7,042.69 crore for 2026-27, Karnataka Sakala Services Amendment Bill 2026 and Karnataka Appropriation Bill 2026.
Ashoka objected that the supplementary estimate should not be approved unilaterally and a discussion should be held on it.
Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara made a statement on the drought situation and said that drought hit taluks will be announced in the next cabinet meeting. As the opposition protests prevailed, the Speaker adjourned the session.
Chaos in Council too
In the Council as well, protests led by LoP Chalavadi Narayanaswamy intensified with the Opposition members entering the well of the House and raising slogans, disrupting proceedings, which led to the session being curtailed to its final day.
It was a maiden session of the government led by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Speaker GS Patil, Deputy Speaker Mankal Vaidya, Council Chairman Saleem Ahmed, and Deputy chairman Umashree.
The Opposition accused the Congress government of deliberately cutting short the session to avoid facing questions over the allegations surrounding Nagendra and to prevent a detailed discussion on the issue. Opposition leaders described the move as an attempt by the government to “run away” from accountability instead of allowing the Legislature to function.
Congress leaders, including Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, defended the decision, saying there were reasons for concluding the session early.
The early adjournment has also intensified the Opposition’s charge that the government prioritised managing the political fallout over
Nagendra’s issue rather than allowing the Legislature to debate issues affecting the people of Karnataka.