BJP-JD(S) to put up joint fight to demand Nagendra’s ouster

Upping the ante on its demand for the sacking of Minister B. Nagendra, who has been chargesheeted in a case involving the alleged embezzlement of funds meant for the welfare of Scheduled Tribe communities, the Opposition BJP on Monday declared that the BJP-JD(S) combine would launch a joint fight on the issue.

Speaking to mediapersons after a meeting of BJP leaders in Bengaluru, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok said the BJP-JD(S) would take up the fight both inside and outside the Houses to mount pressure on the government to sack Mr. Nagendra from the Ministry. The decision comes ahead of the monsoon session of the State legislature, which is set to commence on August 13. The BJP-JD(S) would also take up issues such as the KPSC scam, he said.

Mr. Ashok said the investigation against Mr. Nagendra was still ongoing. “He may have been made a Minister because he threatened Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and his predecessor Siddaramaiah,” he alleged, adding that funds meant for the welfare of Scheduled Tribe communities “had been used to meet the Congress’ poll expenses”.

Meanwhile, BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra maintained that the hasty induction of Mr. Nagendra into the Cabinet, even before he had received a clean chit, was an insult to the Scheduled Tribe communities.