"Congress protecting Nagendra": BJP's R Ashoka announces indefinite Dharna in Assembly

Following days of political tensions over Karnataka Minister Nagendra's resignation demand, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka on Monday announced an indefinite day-and-night dharna (protest) inside the assembly.

Following days of political tensions over Karnataka Minister B Nagendra's resignation demand, Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Monday announced an indefinite day-and-night dharna (protest) inside the assembly. Speaking to reporters, Ashoka accused the Congress government of shielding Nagendra, who he alleged "looted" Rs 180 crores from Dalits in the alleged multi-crore Karnataka Dalit Valmiki Corporation scam.

"From last week, we have been in the dharna. We are protesting in the Assembly, but there is no response from the Congress. They are protecting Nagendra, who looted 180 crores Dalit amount. So we demand that amount go to Dalits. That is our demand. That's why today I decided... We decided on a day-and-night dharna. From now onwards, from this minute, we start the dharna, day-and-night dharna in the Assembly, till the resignation of Nagendra," Ashoka stated. The development comes as BJP leaders tried to enter the state legislature over Nagendra's resignation demand. They were met with a heavy police presence that blocked their path, and several were detained.

During the standoff, Karnataka BJP State President BY Vijayendra launched a scathing attack on the Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, accusing the state government of misusing the police force to crush democratic dissent and asserting that the ruling dispensation's "cup of sins is overflowing." As it happened, Karnataka Congress workers staged a counter-protest, alleging that it was the BJP which was involved in corruption, not the state government.

Congress workers wore face masks of prominent Karnataka BJP and JD(S) leaders during the protest. Congress District (Bangalore West) Vice President Kushal Abhay Gowda told ANI, "BJP is filled with corruption and corrupt leaders. See, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, you can see there are four CMs who are facing corruption charges. Still, they are given positions; still, they are ruling the states. So instead of questioning those people, these guys in Karnataka, the BJP MLAs, are questioning our government. Nagendra had already resigned. Again, he's been promoted after knowing that the allegations are not true."

Karnataka Congress MLA Dr HD Ranganath rode a bullock cart and arrived at Vidhana Soudha to protest against BJP and JD(S) leaders, alleging that they are not letting the Assembly session run smoothly. Since the first day of the ongoing legislative session, BJP members have been staging protests in both the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, demanding the resignation of Minister B Nagendra and refusing to accept any answers from the government on the issue.

Meanwhile, the CBI has sought sanction for prosecution of B Nagendra from the Governor of Karnataka, Thawar Chand Gehlot. (ANI)