Shivamogga, Aug 28 — Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President B.Y. Vijayendra on Friday said the party would continue its agitation until justice was delivered in the alleged Valmiki Development Corporation scam, stressing that the Rs 185 crore allegedly diverted from the corporation must be recovered and returned for the welfare of the affected tribal community.
It can be noted that Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra on Friday announced his resignation from the Cabinet, saying he was stepping down to ensure that the Congress party and its leadership were not embarrassed by the controversy surrounding the alleged Valmiki tribal welfare corporation scam.
Speaking to reporters in Shivamogga, Vijayendra said the BJP’s agitation was not limited to demanding the resignation of former minister B. Nagendra and that the party would continue to pursue the matter until the entire truth behind the alleged scam emerged.
He emphasised that the Rs 185 crore belonging to the Valmiki Development Corporation must be brought back to the corporation and used for the welfare of exploited communities. He added that the identities and roles of the “big fish” involved in the alleged scam must be exposed.
Asked about Nagendra’s reported resignation, Vijayendra said there were still several questions surrounding whether the minister had actually resigned and whether his resignation had been accepted. “There are many doubts about whether he has resigned and whether the resignation has been accepted. Once there is clarity, I will respond,” he said.
Vijayendra pointed out that the BJP’s demand went beyond Nagendra’s resignation, noting that the allegedly diverted funds had not yet been fully returned to the corporation. He referred to details mentioned in an Enforcement Directorate (ED) press release, alleging that some of the money had been used for purchases of gold and liquor and spent at bars.
“The money must be recovered, deposited back into the corporation and used for the purpose for which it was originally allocated,” he said.
Vijayendra also referred to allegations that a portion of the allegedly diverted money may have been passed on to the Congress high command as a form of “tribute”. “There has been considerable discussion about money being given to the Congress high command in the form of a tribute. The truth behind all this must come out,” he said.
He reiterated that the BJP would continue its agitation until the facts were established and those responsible were held accountable.
Vijayendra also criticised the state government over the alleged delay in providing benefits to the family of officer P. Chandrashekhar, who died by suicide after reportedly raising concerns related to the alleged irregularities.
When reporters pointed out that Chandrashekhar’s family had allegedly not received even his provident fund benefits, Vijayendra accused the Congress government of lacking “humanity”. “He was an honest officer from the Bovi community in Shivamogga. If his family has not received the benefits due to them, including his PF, it shows how seriously the government has treated this case,” he said.
On the drought situation, Vijayendra said the BJP was discussing the issue with its senior leaders and criticised the state government for allegedly failing to facilitate a proper discussion in the Assembly. “We demanded that the government obtain Nagendra’s resignation and discuss all these issues in the House. But the government did not allow a discussion,” he said.
He alleged that the government had now hurriedly declared some taluks drought-affected merely as a formality. “The government has repeatedly failed on the drought issue. Prima facie, it appears that it has also failed to submit a proper report to the Centre,” Vijayendra said.
Vijayendra also maintained that the BJP’s proposed padayatra was not restricted to the demand for Nagendra’s resignation. He questioned why Nagendra was hurriedly inducted into the Cabinet without first receiving a clean chit in the alleged scam.
“Why was there a need to induct Nagendra into the Cabinet in such haste without getting a clean chit? The Chief Minister himself was not interested in making Nagendra a minister. There was pressure from the high command. There is no doubt that the high command has a role in this,” Vijayendra alleged.
Shivamogga district BJP President N.K. Jagadish was also present during the interaction.