Karnataka: BJP says it will not allow legislature proceedings if Nagendra is not sacked
Stepping up its attack against the induction of MLA B. Nagendra into the ministry despite him facing a CBI probe, the Opposition BJP on Tuesday
Stepping up its attack against the induction of MLA B. Nagendra into the ministry despite him facing a CBI probe, the Opposition BJP on Tuesday declared that it would not allow the proceedings of the Monsoon Session if he is not sacked. Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok demanded that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar immediately ask Mr. Nagendra to quit. “If the Congress government has any responsibility towards conducting the legislature session, it should first demand Mr. Nagendra’s resignation.
Issues such as the Bidadi Township Project and KPSC need to be discussed in this session. But any debate can take place only if Nagendra resigns,” he said. Stating that the BJP would stage protests both inside and outside the legislature demanding Mr. Nagendra’s resignation, Mr. Ashok said the BJP had already started agitations in all district headquarters. He sought a clear explanation from the government on why Mr. Nagendra was removed from the Ministry earlier following allegations of his involvement in the misappropriation of funds meant for ST welfare, and why he has now been reinstated.
“Mr. Nagendra is still an accused and has to appear in court every day. There are three cases pending with the CBI, five cases registered with the Lokayukta, one case with the SIT, a CID case in Karwar, and a case pending in Chennai. A total of 31 cases against him are under investigation. In this situation, when will he find the time to come to Vidhana Soudha and attend to his department’s work?” he wondered. “In the Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation case involving the alleged embezzlement of ₹187 crore, former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had admitted that ₹89 crore was misappropriated,” he said.
“Perhaps Mr. Nagendra has blackmailed the Chief Minister and the high command,” he added Taking exception to the delay in allocation of portfolios, Mr. Ashok remarked, “If the Chief Minister alone is going to answer all the questions in the legislature session, then all Ministers should be thrown out of the session.”
The BriefWire