BJP protests seek Karnataka minister Nagendra's resignation over scam; Congress stages counter protest

The ruling Congress staged a protest near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Vidhana Soudha premises accusing BJP of disrupting proceedings in the Assembly and Council.

Congress leaders protest against the Opposition for disrupting House proceedings, at Gandhi Statue on Vidhana Soudha premises on Friday. (Photo | Nagaraja Gadekal, EPS)

BENGALURU: Opposition BJP continued its protest on Friday seeking Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister B Nagendra’s resignation over his alleged involvement in the multi-crore scam in the ST Development Corporation.

Meanwhile, the ruling Congress staged a protest near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Vidhana Soudha premises accusing BJP of disrupting proceedings in the Assembly and Council.

The protest by BJP entered its fifth day on Friday. Senior BJP leaders, including Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R Ashoka, Leader of Opposition in the Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and BJP state president BY Vijayendra, protested near the Maharshi Valmiki statue at the Legislators’ House and took out a procession to Vidhana Soudha.

Ashoka said Nagendra has been named as the main accused in the CBI and ED chargesheets. He is also an accused in cases pending with the Lokayukta.Valmiki Development Corporation’s officer P Chandrashekharan had exposed the Rs 187-crore scam. In his suicide note, he had mentioned that he had transferred money on the orders of the minister.

The money was sent to Telangana to meet the Congress’ election expenditure on the instructions of some top leaders of that party.  A Lamborghini car and 40 kg of gold were purchased using the money looted from the corporation, Ashoka alleged.

BJP and JDS legislators protest outside Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Friday.

The BJP leader said that his party will continue its protest and take it to a logical end. He blamed the Congress for ruining the Assembly and Council proceedings and preventing discussions on drought, NICE, and other issues. The party is said to be planning a padayatra seeking Nagendra’s resignation.

Congress hits back

Congress leaders, including  Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president BK Hariprasad, protested near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Vidhana Soudha premises. Hariprasad said BJP legislators are not allowing a discussion on drought to avoid raising the issue of the state’s rightful share of funds from the Union government. People of the state are observing the developments and they will not forgive the Opposition party.