Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
In a setback to the CM Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government, the Scheduled Tribes Welfare Minister B Nagendra, facing allegations in connection with the Rs 94.73-crore fund misappropriation in Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation (KMVSTDC), said Thursday that he has decided to resign.
Nagendra held a press conference Thursday and announced his decision to resign. “For the last 10 days, the media has been reporting about the case. Also, the opposition (BJP) has been targeting the government. I have met CM Siddaramaiah and deputy CM D K Shivakumar. No one pressured me to resign. With my conscience and to ensure that people are not misled (about me). I have voluntarily … (decided to resign),” he said.
Asked if he was unaware of the irregularities, Nagendra said that he had suspended the Managing Director of the corporation after he came to know about the alleged irregularities. “I was totally unaware of (the alleged irregularities) and when the incident came to light, from this very office of mine, I had suspended the Managing Director. There is no way that the government will protect anyone who is involved in the scam,” he said.
Asked about an audio clip, which has been widely circulated, where a suspect is heard referring to a “minister” who is aware of transactions, the four-time MLA, who is also the Youth Empowerment and Sports Minister, said, “He has not taken my name and just by uttering the word minister, it doesn’t mean it is about me.”
“SIT is probing the case… If I’m in the Minister post during the probe it may cause problems. Considering this, I have come to this decision (to resign),” he said and called the allegations against him baseless. He asserted that he will be proved “innocent”.
Several Union Bank of India officials among others were booked in connection with the case. The Karnataka government has formed an SIT. The CBI has also registered a case.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
