Multi-crore scam claims minister: Nagendra has volunteered to resign, says Dy CM D K Shivakumar

Karnataka’s Scheduled Tribe Welfare and Sports Minister B Nagendra has offered to resign to uphold the dignity of the Congress party and the government, Deputy CM DK Shivakumar said on Thursday.This is the first resignation in the Congress regime in less than a year after winning the assembly polls.

The Congress regime had been under pressure to fire the minister after reports of illegal transfer of funds from the Valmiki Corporation emerged and an official ended his life over the alleged scam.

“The Home Minister and I had a discussion with Nagendra. He is not involved in the scam and hence there is no need to resign. However, he has offered to resign in order to uphold the dignity of the party and the government. He may resign today,” the Dy CM said even as the CM had maintained that he had not asked the Ballari leader to step down.

The news of resignation followed as the BJP led a Raj Bhavan chalo to demand his ouster from the Cabinet.Shivakumar said the CM would take a call on accepting the resignation after discussing the issue with the high command.