Tribal Welfare scam: Shivakumar seeks debate, Ashoka vows to fight

Bengaluru, Aug 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday urged the Opposition to give notice and come forward for a debate on Minister for Planning and Statistics B. Nagendra’s alleged involvement in the Valmiki Development Corporation scam, while Opposition Leader R. Ashoka said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would intensify its agitation and take the issue to its “logical conclusion.”

Speaking in the Legislative Council, Shivakumar questioned the Opposition’s demand for Nagendra’s resignation without giving notice or allowing a discussion in the House.

He said the Opposition, being part of the constitutional system, should follow parliamentary procedures and allow a debate.

He added that when he was the party president, he had sought Nagendra’s resignation so that an investigation could be conducted.

“The government subsequently conducted an inquiry. Now they are again demanding his resignation. There is a procedure for seeking a resignation. Let the Opposition give notice and conduct the discussion accordingly,” he said.

Shivakumar asked the Opposition to explain what evidence it had against Nagendra and what information investigating agencies had provided.

“Why should Nagendra resign? What have the Opposition members found? What information do they have? Let them tell the people through the House what the CBI, ED and SIT have said. This is perhaps the first time such an incident is happening without a notice being given,” he said.

He said that if the Opposition gave notice, the government was ready to devote an entire day to discussing the issue.

“If the Opposition gives us an opportunity, I will certainly explain why I included Nagendra in the Cabinet. If they are still not satisfied, they can continue their protest. But is it appropriate to call Nagendra corrupt, allege that money went to LoP Rahul Gandhi’s house, and describe the D.K. Shivakumar government as corrupt without holding a discussion?” he asked.

Shivakumar also took a dig at BJP members, saying he was ready to discuss cases involving Opposition leaders.

“Please give notice. Let us discuss only this issue for two days. I will answer all the questions, doubts and confusion of the Opposition. If I mention the names of the Union and State ministers against whom cases were registered and explain how the investigations were conducted, you may feel uncomfortable,” he said.

Reacting after the House session, Ashoka said the BJP would continue its demand for Nagendra’s resignation and take the issue to its logical conclusion. He alleged that the government was protecting Nagendra by portraying him as innocent.

“I have personally provided documents showing that a scam of Rs 187 crore has taken place. In his suicide note, Valmiki Development Corporation officer P. Chandrashekar stated that the money was transferred on the minister’s instructions. Documents relate to the transfer of Rs 40 crore. Rs 50 crore was deposited in the Valmiki Corporation, and a separate loan was taken. I have exposed documents showing that new schemes were created to siphon off money and that funds were sent to Telangana,” Ashoka alleged.

He accused the government of disrupting the House's functioning to protect one minister and said the Opposition had been prevented from raising issues concerning drought, NICE and other matters.

“Because senior Congress leaders are involved in this, they are not seeking his resignation. We intend that the Rs 187 crore should reach the Dalits, while the Congress wants to cover up the matter,” Ashoka said.

He added that the BJP would continue its agitation and take the issue to its logical conclusion, and said he would discuss the matter with Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy.

Source: IANS