Will discuss matter with CM Shivakumar, won’t embarrass party, says K’taka Minister Nagendra; hints at resignation

Bengaluru, Aug 28 (IANS) Karnataka Planning and Statistics Minister, B. Nagendra, who returned to Bengaluru from Delhi on Friday, said he would meet Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and discuss the matter in detail amid the ongoing controversy over the alleged tribal welfare irregularities case. Hinting at a possible resignation, Nagendra said he would not do anything that would embarrass his party.

It can be noted that the BJP and JD(S) have launched an agitation demanding the resignation of Minister Nagendra and have also announced a 185 km protest march to press their demand.

Speaking to reporters after arriving at Bengaluru International Airport, Nagendra said he was not scared of what he described as “false threats” by the BJP and would address the issue at a press conference after meeting the Chief Minister.

“I will not be scared of the BJP’s false threats. I will hold a press conference. I am going to meet the Chief Minister. The party should not be embarrassed because of me. I will discuss the matter in detail with the Chief Minister,” Nagendra said.

When reporters asked him directly about reports of his resignation, Nagendra said he would first discuss the matter with CM Shivakumar before making any decision.

“I will first discuss it with the Chief Minister. Once I speak to him in detail about the matter, I will take the next step,” he said.

Nagendra’s remarks come amid mounting pressure on the state government over the alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.

He has also called press conference at Vidhana Soudha late in the evening and he is expected to announce his decision on resignation.

The minister also hit out at his political opponents, saying that the fight against “Manuvadis” would continue.

“The fight with the Manuvadis is like this,” Nagendra said, without elaborating further.

Nagendra had travelled to Delhi amid the political developments surrounding the controversy. His return to Bengaluru assumes significance as CM Shivakumar had earlier said that Nagendra would speak directly to the media about the issue.

Shivakumar had also said that the matter concerning Nagendra had been left to the party’s high command and that the minister had described himself as a “disciplined soldier” of the party who was ready to make sacrifices for it.

Nagendra’s latest remarks have further fuelled speculation that he could step down from the Cabinet. However, he has not explicitly announced his resignation and maintained that he would first discuss the matter with the Chief Minister.

With Nagendra expected to return to Karnataka and address the media, his next statement is likely to provide clarity on whether he has formally resigned and what decision has been taken by the party leadership.

–IANS

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