Bengaluru: In fresh trouble for embattled minister B Nagendra, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought Karnataka governor’s sanction for his prosecution in the Rs 90-crore Karnataka Maharishi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation scam.Of the alleged siphoned amount, a sum of Rs 84 crore has since been recovered by the state govt.The combined BJP-JD(S) opposition disrupted legislature proceedings for five straight days last week, seeking resignation of the ‘tainted’ minister. With CBI seeking nod for prosecution, the opposition parties have decided to renew their demand and lay siege to Vidhana Soudha on Monday.This is his second stint as a minister in the Cong govt sworn into office in 2023. In June 2024, Nagendra quit as sports, youth services and ST minister in the alleged Valmiki Board embezzlement case. The Ballari Rural MLA was recently inducted into DK Shivakumar cabinet as a minister.Opposition leader R Ashoka of BJP said Lokayukta has sought nod for prosecution against BJP leaders Koppal MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy and former Honnali MLA MP Renukacharya in illegal wealth cases.Confirming this, Lok Bhavan sources said the matter in these three cases is being referred to the law department for its opinion.“Considering that the governor has to seek the aid and advice of the cabinet, we are talking to the law department. No decision has been made till date,” said a Lok Bhavan official.Ashoka said that Nagendra is facing three chargesheets, which are with the governor. “While deputy chief minister G Parameshwara claims that Nagendra is not mentioned in the chargesheets, why would CBI seek the governor’s assent for prosecution?”Ashoka claimed these cases have come from the governor’s office to the state cabinet for assent.The BJP leader said the govt most likely will not give sanction for prosecution for Nagendra, but may clear the decks for Reddy and Renukacharya as the latter “two are from the BJP”.“I’ve discussed the matter with our alliance partners, including Union minister H D Kumaraswamy (of JDS) who has given his party’s support to continued protests, inside and outside the house, against Nagendra,” said Ashoka.
