Bengaluru, Aug 24 (IANS) BJP leaders on Monday urged Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot to seek an explanation from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on the reasons for the re‑induction of Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra, an accused in the tribal welfare scam, into the State Cabinet and to obtain information on the status of CBI, Lokayukta and other proceedings against him.
The BJP leaders took out a protest march from Vidhana Soudha to Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru in the evening and submitted a memorandum to the Governor shortly after the Karnataka Legislature session was adjourned sine die. The protest came against the backdrop of the BJP announcing an overnight protest demanding Nagendra’s resignation over the alleged Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam.
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka, Karnataka BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, Legislative Council Leader of Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy and other BJP leaders participated in the march.
In the memorandum, Ashoka said Nagendra had earlier resigned from the Cabinet headed by former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah amid serious allegations relating to the Valmiki Corporation scam and alleged diversion of public funds. He pointed out that the circumstances leading to Nagendra’s resignation had not changed and that the investigation had instead progressed, with criminal chargesheets filed.
“Yet, despite the continuing proceedings, Shri Nagendra has now found a place in the Cabinet headed by Shri D.K. Shivakumar,” Ashoka said, questioning what had changed to justify his re‑induction.
Ashoka said the issue raised fundamental questions of constitutional propriety, integrity, probity in public life and public confidence in the Council of Ministers. He acknowledged that the pendency of a criminal case does not legally disqualify a person from holding public office but argued that the Chief Minister should not be indifferent to considerations of integrity, probity and public confidence while selecting members of the Council of Ministers.
The BJP leader urged the Governor to seek an explanation from the Chief Minister on what material circumstances had changed since Nagendra resigned from the earlier Cabinet and warranted his re‑induction despite the continuation of criminal proceedings. He also requested the Governor to call for a detailed report from the Chief Minister regarding the present status of all CBI, Lokayukta and other proceedings concerning Nagendra.
Referring to Article 164(1) of the Constitution, Ashoka said it provides the framework for the appointment of Ministers by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. He urged the Governor to exercise his constitutional role and ask the Chief Minister to reconsider his advice in light of the continuing proceedings and the principles laid down by the Supreme Court.
Ashoka further cited the Supreme Court judgment in Manoj Narula v. Union of India, referring to principles of constitutional morality, probity and good governance. “This is not an appeal to prejudge the criminal trial or to pronounce upon the guilt or innocence of Shri Nagendra. That determination belongs exclusively to the courts,” he said.
He maintained that the BJP’s demand was aimed at upholding a higher standard of constitutional propriety and public trust expected from those occupying high executive offices.
The BJP has been demanding Nagendra’s resignation since his re‑induction into the Cabinet, alleging that bringing him back as a Minister while proceedings linked to the alleged scam are continuing undermines accountability and public confidence in the government.
The protest march and memorandum submission came after the Speaker adjourned the Monsoon Session of the Karnataka Legislature sine die amid heightened tension between the ruling Congress and the BJP over the Valmiki Corporation issue. The BJP had announced an overnight protest in the premises of the Legislature, demanding Nagendra’s resignation.
--IANS
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