Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 28: Bowing to relentless pressure and protests from the opposition over the alleged Valmiki tribal welfare corporation scam, planning and statistics minister B Nagendra has officially resigned from his cabinet post. He submitted his resignation letter to chief minister D K Shivakumar on Friday.

Addressing a joint press conference at Vidhana Soudha, an emotional Nagendra maintained his innocence, claiming he was unfairly targeted by the opposition. Despite his earlier assertions that he would not step down, he stated that he took the decision voluntarily to spare the Congress party, the government, and its leadership from further embarrassment.

“Chief minister D K Shivakumar has told me that I am innocent at all levels. But, on my own, and to ensure that the party is not embarrassed because of me, I am submitting my resignation letter to the chief minister,” Nagendra said. Reports also indicate he is likely to resign from his MLA post as well.

The resignation letter will now need to be forwarded to the Governor for final approval. However, the Congress high command and the chief minister are reportedly in a dilemma over whether to accept the resignation or retain him in the cabinet. The party's top brass is carefully weighing the political pros and cons of the move and is yet to take a final decision.

Sources indicate that the chief minister will soon hold detailed discussions with Nagendra. During these talks, D K Shivakumar is expected to pacify the leader by assuring him of additional developmental grants for his constituency and promising that the party and the government will firmly stand by him in the future.