BJP, Congress clash over Valmiki scam; protests rock Vidhana Soudha

BJP workers protested outside Vidhana Soudha demanding Minister B Nagendra's resignation over the Rs 187 crore Valmiki scam. Congress staged a counter-protest, accusing the BJP of corruption. Police detained several BJP leaders attempting a siege.

As the BJP intensified its protest outside Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru demanding Minister B Nagendra's resignation, Karnataka Congress workers staged a counter-protest, alleging that it was the BJP which was involved in corruption, not the state government.

Congress stages counter-protest

The counter-protest came as BJP workers, including Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka, attempted to lay "siege" to Vidhana Soudha over the alleged Rs 187 crore Valmiki Corporation scam, and demanded the resignation of Minister B Nagendra. Congress workers wore face masks of prominent Karnataka BJP and JD(S) leaders during the protest.

Congress District (Bangalore West) Vice President Kushal Abhay Gowda told ANI, "BJP is filled with corruption and corrupt leaders. See, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, you can see there are four CMs who are facing corruption charges. Still, they are given positions; still, they are ruling the states. So instead of questioning those people, these guys in Karnataka, the BJP MLAs, are questioning our government. Nagendra had already resigned. Again, he's been promoted after knowing that the allegations are not true."

A Congress worker said, "We cannot find bigger thieves than these BJP leaders anywhere. These 'donation box thieves' are not talking about the current NEET paper allegations or the issues students are facing nowadays. Instead, they are levelling corruption charges against our government. They themselves are the patriarchs of corruption. Their names are involved in every scam in Karnataka, from blood banking to Covid-related irregularities...What moral ground do they have to accuse us?"

BJP leaders detained during 'siege' attempt

It comes after a large group of BJP MLAs and MLCs attempted to lay siege to the state legislature after marching from Freedom Park. Police personnel deployed in large numbers blocked the protesters from entering the premises and subsequently detained several senior leaders. Police also detained BJP leaders and workers.

During the standoff, Karnataka BJP State President BY Vijayendra launched a scathing attack on the Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, accusing the state government of misusing the police force to crush democratic dissent and asserting that the ruling dispensation's "cup of sins is overflowing."

R Ashoka said, "Because B Nagendra has looted the Valmiki money... more than 180 crores. So this must be returned. That's why we are protesting in front of the Vidhan Soudha. Vidhan Soudha mutthige (siege). The police have handled us roughly. This government is attacking the opposition. This is not good. We are protesting silently. But the Congress people are attacking us. This is not good. This protest (dharna) will continue," he said.

Ashoka has alleged that Rs 187 crore belonging to the Valmiki Corporation in 2024 was looted from the state treasury to finance Congress election campaigns in Karnataka and Telangana.

Since the first day of the ongoing legislative session, BJP members have been staging protests in both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, demanding the resignation of Minister B Nagendra and refusing to accept any answers from the government on the issue.

CBI seeks sanction for prosecution

Meanwhile, the CBI has sought sanction for prosecution of B Nagendra from the Governor of Karnataka, Thawar Chand Gehlot.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)