Bengaluru: Karnataka minister B Nagendra, facing allegations of financial irregularities involving the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, resigned from the cabinet on Friday evening amid sustained protests by the BJP and JD(S) demanding his removal.

Nagendra, who returned to Bengaluru from Delhi, announced his resignation at a press conference at Vidhana Soudha. Breaking down emotionally, he said he was stepping down voluntarily to ensure that his continuation in the cabinet did not cause embarrassment to the Congress party.

He also announced that he would resign as an MLA and challenged BJP leaders to face him in the “people’s court”.

Nagendra alleged that a case had been filed against him as part of a “Manuvadi conspiracy” and that he had been jailed for three months. Claiming that he was being targeted because he was a Dalit, he said, “I will not bow to the conspiracy of the Manuvadis. I will bow only before the Constitution.”

The former minister hit out at the opposition, saying the BJP and JD(S) had repeatedly sought a discussion on the issue in the legislature but had failed to take it up when an opportunity was available.

He alleged that the opposition was now attempting to launch a padayatra by raising an issue without substance.

Nagendra also trained his guns on BJP leaders from Ballari, Janardhana Reddy and B Sriramulu.

“If you have the courage, come to the arena. Let us go to the people’s court,” he said, challenging the BJP leaders.

He further alleged that central investigating agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), were being used to intimidate him. “I will not be afraid of such threats,” he said.

Second resignation over Valmiki Corporation case

Nagendra had earlier resigned as minister on June 6, 2024, following allegations linked to the Valmiki Corporation case.

He was subsequently inducted back into the D K Shivakumar-led cabinet and took oath as a minister on August 3, 2026.

His re-induction had drawn strong opposition from the BJP and JD(S), which had demanded that he be kept out of the cabinet. The opposition also protested during the legislature session seeking his resignation.

With Nagendra stepping down again, he has now lost the ministerial post for the second time in connection with the same controversy.