Published Aug 21, 2026 | 3:22 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 21, 2026 | 3:22 PM
Vidhana Soudha.
Synopsis: BJP leaders began the day with a protest march from the Valmiki statue near the Legislators’ Bhavan towards Vidhana Soudha. Opposition legislators wearing black T-shirts bearing Nagendra’s image later entered the Vidhana Soudha premises and raised slogans against the government.
Political tensions escalated at Vidhana Soudha on Friday, 21 August, as BJP and JD(S) legislators intensified their demand for Minister B. Nagendra’s resignation over the alleged Valmiki Corporation funds misappropriation case, while the ruling Congress staged a counter-protest.
BJP leaders began the day with a protest march from the Valmiki statue near the Legislators’ Bhavan towards Vidhana Soudha. Opposition legislators wearing black T-shirts bearing Nagendra’s image later entered the Vidhana Soudha premises and raised slogans against the government.
The Congress responded with a protest near the Gandhi statue, accusing the BJP of disrupting and stalling the Assembly session. The demonstrations came amid repeated disruptions in the legislature over the Nagendra issue.
The BJP and JD(S) have maintained that Nagendra should step down over the alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation, while the Congress has rejected the opposition’s demand.
LoP R. Ashoka later held discussions with senior BJP legislators over the party’s strategy and whether to continue the agitation when the legislature reconvenes.
Earlier, following the allegations of scam, Nagendra resigned as a minister. However, in the recent cabinet expansion under Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, he was assigned Planning and Statistics portfolio.
Also Read: Karnataka Valmiki Corporation case: CBI files chargesheets against ex-Minister Nagendra
(With inputs from Keerthivas)
