BJP’s Demands Spark Protest March as Nagendra Defends Position

The Bharatiya Janata Party and Janata Dal (Secular) have announced a 185‑kilometre march demanding the resignation of Karnataka’s Planning and Statistics Minister B. Nagendra. In response, Nagendra arrived back in Bangalore from Delhi and addressed the media at the international airport.

He dismissed the BJP’s alleged intimidation as "false threats" and declared that he would meet Chief Minister D.K. Shivkumar to discuss the ongoing controversy over alleged irregularities in tribal welfare schemes. Nagendra stressed that no step will be taken that could bring embarrassment to his party.

The minister indicated that a press conference would be held after his meeting with Shivkumar, where he will outline the outcomes of the discussion and his stance on the resignation demand. He also warned that the fight against "Manuvadi" elements would continue.

His comments come amid heightened scrutiny of the Mahatma Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation, where concerns about misuse of funds have been raised. Nagendra has called a press briefing at the legislative assembly for later in the day to clarify his position.