Bengaluru, Aug 29: Karnataka School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa on Saturday said the emotional farewell of former minister B. Nagendra, who resigned over allegations of corruption that he described as baseless, would politically damage the BJP in the state. Bangarappa also challenged the BJP-JD(S) alliance to first undertake its proposed padayatra against Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.
Speaking to reporters at his home office in Bengaluru, Bangarappa defended Nagendra over the Valmiki Development Corporation issue and accused the BJP of making politically motivated allegations against a four-time MLA and prominent Dalit and Scheduled Caste leader.
Bangarappa said Nagendra was senior to him in politics and maintained that the BJP’s allegations lacked substance. He said the government had examined and discussed investigation reports and found no truth in the allegations against Nagendra.
He argued that the treatment of Nagendra had affected not only the former minister but also marginalised communities. According to Bangarappa, the Opposition was uncomfortable with the political advancement of Dalit and Scheduled Caste leaders.
Responding to allegations raised by Leader of Opposition R. Ashoka, Bangarappa questioned Ashoka’s authority to make conclusions about the case, saying investigating agencies would determine the facts. He also warned that political leaders could understand the consequences of such allegations if they themselves faced similar scrutiny.
Bangarappa criticised BJP leaders for publicly celebrating Nagendra’s resignation and questioned whether BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra had forgotten the “fake signature issue” while attacking the Congress over the matter.
He also turned his criticism towards the BJP-JD(S) alliance’s proposed padayatra, questioning its position on Kumaraswamy. Bangarappa said three years had passed since permission was sought from the Governor to prosecute Kumaraswamy, but sanction had not been granted.
Questioning whether Kumaraswamy was receiving preferential treatment because of his alliance with the BJP, Bangarappa asked the BJP-JD(S) leaders to undertake a padayatra against him first.
On the proceedings of the Monsoon Session, Bangarappa said the government was prepared to discuss the Nagendra issue if the Opposition had submitted proper notice. He alleged that the Opposition instead disrupted proceedings rather than participating in a debate.
He said the Assembly could have used the session to address issues including drought, the Cauvery water dispute and the Kasturirangan report, but the Opposition’s disruption prevented discussion on matters affecting the state and its people.
