Demanding B Nagendra's resignation, Karnataka BJP looks to "lay siege" to Vidhan Soudha as party holds massive protest at Freedom Park

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday staged a massive protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, demanding the immediate resignation of State Minister B Nagendra in connection with the multi-crore Karnataka Dalit Valmiki Corporation scam.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday staged a massive protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, demanding the immediate resignation of state Minister B Nagendra, alleging a connection with the multi-crore Karnataka Dalit Valmiki Corporation scam. Following the demonstration at Freedom Park, the party has planned to march towards the Vidhana Soudha to lay siege to the state secretariat.

The development comes after Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, R Ashoka, launched a scathing attack on the ruling Congress government on Sunday over the alleged multi-crore Karnataka Dalit Valmiki Corporation scam, announcing that the BJP, in alliance with the JD(S), "will lay siege" to the Vidhana Soudha on Monday to demand accountability.Ashoka has alleged that Rs 187 crore belonging to the Valmiki Corporation was looted from the state treasury to finance Congress election campaigns in Karnataka and Telangana. Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Ashoka dismissed claims that Nagendra is being targeted for being a Dalit, saying, "This is not simply about Nagendra. It is about Nagendra in connection with the Rs 187 crore of Dalit money belonging to the Valmiki Corporation that was allegedly siphoned off."

"For the past one week, it has been common knowledge that Rs 187 crore belonging to the Karnataka Dalit Valmiki Corporation was looted from the treasury and sent for the Congress party's elections in Karnataka and Telangana. I have released the documents in this regard. Despite this, the Congress leaders are protesting against us. Why are they protesting against our protest? The ruling party itself is taking to the streets in protest because they want to hide the truth. If there was no truth in these allegations, there would have been no need for them to come onto the streets. The people would have decided for themselves, saying, "There is no truth in this"," he added. He said that party workers across the state have been staging day-and-night agitations in every district for the past week, pushing the state government onto the back foot.

Announcing a major demonstration on Monday, Ashoka said the march would be led jointly by senior leaders from the NDA alliance. The BJP Leader said, "The money of the Valmiki Corporation, which belongs to Dalits and should have reached the poor, has been looted. This is the voice of the people. BJP workers across the state are protesting in all districts. For the past one week, we have been holding protests day and night at district centres. As a result, the government is now in a difficult situation. We will not leave it at this. Tomorrow too, we are organising a programme to lay siege to the Vidhana Soudha. At 9 a.m. tomorrow, our BJP workers will march from Freedom Park and lay siege to the Vidhana Soudha. I will also participate in it. State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra will also take part. The protest will begin from Freedom Park at 9 a.m. tomorrow and will continue with the intention of making the government answerable." (ANI)