Bengaluru, Aug 11 (IANS) The Karnataka BJP on Tuesday demanded the removal of Minister B. Nagendra from the state Cabinet and announced protests at all district headquarters on Wednesday, August 12, over his reinduction into the government.
Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, who addressed a joint press conference along with BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra, said the party would intensify its agitation against the state government and would not allow the issue to be brushed aside.
Ashoka said Nagendra continues to face several cases and questioned the government’s decision to bring him back into the Cabinet.
“Nagendra still has 31 cases against him and he will have to appear before the court every day,” Ashoka said.
He said the BJP’s protests would begin from today itself and would intensify across the state on Wednesday.
“Tomorrow, programmes will be held at all district headquarters. Our leaders, MLAs, MLCs and party workers will stage protests in front of the offices of the Deputy Commissioners in all districts,” Ashoka said.
Questioning the government’s decision to induct Nagendra, Ashoka asked why he had earlier been removed from the Cabinet if there were no grounds to keep him out now.
“Last time, why was Nagendra removed and why has he been inducted now? If the cases against him have been quashed, he could have been taken back. Earlier, our leader K.S. Eshwarappa was dropped from the Cabinet even after he received a clean chit. Did we take him back?” he asked.
The BJP has been opposing Nagendra’s reinduction, citing the alleged irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.
Meanwhile, Minister Shivaraj Tangadgi defended the government’s decision to induct Nagendra into the Cabinet and hit back at the BJP’s allegations.
“What are the charges against BJP MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy? The BJP’s situation is such that if they do something, it is considered good, but when others do the same, they have an issue,” Tangadgi said while speaking in Koppal on Tuesday.
He alleged that the BJP was criticising the Congress merely for political reasons and said allegations should not be equated with conviction.
“Minister Nagendra is only an accused person. Has he been convicted? How many people in politics are facing allegations? Allegations are different and conviction is different,” Tangadgi said.
Tangadgi also referred to the investigations against Nagendra, saying that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had given him a clean chit.
“The CID has given him a clean chit. As far as the CBI and ED probes are concerned, he will approach the court. That is all,” he said.
The minister also launched a sharp attack on the BJP over its criticism of the Congress government, referring to allegations against BJP leader Gali Janardhana Reddy.
“Janardhana Reddy looted the mountains and they could not see it. They are blindfolded when it comes to the alleged loot of iron ore from a port,” Tangadgi alleged.
He further mocked the BJP’s criticism, saying, “Their plight is like a crow making desperate noises out of jealousy of the cuckoo’s melodious voice.”
“If they want to preach to us on all these matters, where should we go?” Tangadgi asked.
The BJP, meanwhile, has said the protests will continue until the government withdraws Nagendra’s induction into the Cabinet. The party is expected to raise the issue prominently during the upcoming Assembly session.
–IANS
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