Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], August 24 : The BJP has intensified its protests calling for the resignation of Minister B Nagendra alleging his involvement in the Valmiki Scam. On Monday the BJP MLAs and MLC tried to force their entry into the state legislature as part of their protests.
Hitting out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for staging protests demanding the resignation of state Minister B Nagendra over the Karnataka Dalit Valmiki Corporation scam, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge asked whether the leader was a convicted person, challenging the opposition to debate the issue inside the Assembly instead of indulging in street theatrics.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru as BJP leaders took out a protest march towards the Vidhana Soudha, Kharge stated that both the government and the leader in question had already placed their stance on public record.
"Is Nagendra a convicted person? Nagendra himself held a press conference to clarify the matter, and the Deputy Chief Minister has already issued a statement on behalf of the government. We are telling the BJP to submit a notice in the House and debate it on the floor of the Assembly. The BJP is just trying to show a blacklist," Kharge said.
Questioning the selective outrage and pointing towards pending prosecution files, the Karnataka Minister asked, "Have you seen the CBI charge sheet? Has the Governor seen it? There are many files of all politicians at the Governor's house."
Responding to media reports claiming that IAS officer Gyanendra has gone "missing", Kharge clarified that the officer had formally submitted a leave application.
"I have seen in the media that he is missing. But that is not the case. He has given a written application. His father has gone home sick. He called a private number and said there is no information about whether he will come tomorrow or not. It is not the case that he has run away," Kharge stated.
Reaffirming the state government's zero-tolerance policy against corruption in public examinations, Kharge asserted that strict action would follow against anyone found guilty.
"There is no compromise in the KPSC case. Those who eat salt should drink water. The controller or the officer may be the chairman. This is a matter of students' lives. The government does not compromise on anything. Wherever the officer goes, he stays in this country. Is there any doubt that he has escaped? Looking at the circumstances, it seems so. He himself came and told the government. However, we are monitoring. The ED has written to us, and we are cooperating," the Minister added.
Kharge's remarks come amid high drama that unfolded outside the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Monday as BJP workers, led by senior party leaders, tried to enter the state legislature demanding the resignation of Minister B Nagendra over the alleged multi-crore Karnataka Dalit Valmiki Corporation scam.
The standoff saw BJP leaders push toward the gates of Vidhana Soudha even as police personnel blocked their entry, leading to scuffles and tense stand-offs at the barricades. The demonstration followed a call by Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, who a day earlier announced that the BJP, in alliance with the JD(S), would "lay siege" to the Vidhana Soudha to demand accountability.