Karnataka BJP alleges ‘tainted’ Minister Nagendra ‘blackmailed’ Congress high command
Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP President and MLA, B.Y. Vijayendra, on Monday alleged that Minister B. Nagendra, an accused in the Tribal Welfare case, had “blackmailed” the Congress high command, claiming that the party leadership was also aware of the alleged threats.
Notably, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has given a clean chit to Nagendra in the case and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is still investigating it.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, B.Y. Vijayendra questioned how Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar could induct Nagendra into the Cabinet despite allegations of a corruption scam involving the Tribal Welfare Corporation.
“There was an allegation of a multi-crore corruption scam involving the Tribal Welfare Corporation. How could the Chief Minister induct such a person into the Cabinet? What kind of pressure was there on the Chief Minister?” Vijayendra asked.
“We have information that Nagendra had even blackmailed the Congress high command. The issue of threats being made is also being discussed within Congress circles,” B.Y. Vijayendra alleged.
B.Y. Vijayendra said the induction of Nagendra into the Cabinet amounted to an injustice to the Scheduled Tribe community.
“This is an insult to the community. By inducting Nagendra into the Cabinet, the government has done injustice to the Scheduled Tribes,” he claimed.
He demanded that Nagendra should not be allowed to continue as a minister and said the BJP would intensify its agitation against the government both inside and outside the legislature.
It may be noted that allegations have surfaced that money was allegedly siphoned off from the Tribal Welfare Corporation to fund the Congress party’s election campaigns in various states.
On the BJP-JDS coordination over the proposed padyatra against the Bidadi Township project, Vijayendra said there was no confusion between the two parties.
“There is no confusion between the BJP and JD(S) over the padayatra opposing the Bidadi Township project. We have extended symbolic support to the padyatra, and our Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka has participated in it,” he said.
Vijayendra said the BJP stood with farmers and would continue to raise their concerns during the Assembly session.
“We are with the farmers and will fight for them in the Assembly as well. Whenever farmers face problems, whether in the Bidadi issue or the airport-related issue, we will stand by them,” he said.
Vijayendra also criticised the state government over its handling of the drought situation and questioned the functioning of the Cabinet.
“During such a severe drought, we do not even know who the Agriculture and Horticulture ministers are in the state. The Revenue Minister is also not visible,” he said.
He argued that ministers without portfolios visiting districts would not provide any relief to farmers.
“If ministers without portfolios visit the districts, how can that provide any relief to farmers?” Vijayendra asked.
Taking a dig at Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Vijayendra urged him to return to Bengaluru and focus on assigning portfolios to the newly inducted ministers instead of remaining in Delhi.
Vijayendra further accused Shivakumar of neglecting Karnataka by repeatedly travelling to Delhi.