Opposition intensifies ‘Drop Nagendra’ campaign, disrupts Council proceedings for second day

Key points

BENGALURU: Opposition BJP disrupted the Legislative Council proceedings for the second day on Tuesday seeking minister B Nagendra’s resignation over the alleged scam in the Valmiki corporation.

Leader of Opposition in the Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy demanded that Nagendra. This person is allegedly involved in the Rs 187-crore scam, be removed from the cabinet.

Leader of the House Yathindra Siddaramaiah said the administration is ready to respond to the Opposition’s demand if it allows a debate on the issue.

The Opposition members, however, raised slogans and displayed placards, alleging that the scam capital had reached some top Congress leaders.

What happened

Rebuffing the Opposition’s allegation, Yathindra said there had been no such loot. When ruling and Opposition benches continued sloganeering, the Council was adjourned.

Question Hour

Amid the Opposition protest, the Council proceeded with Question Hour and Zero Hour.

The government informed the Council that 30,01,169 farmers have outstanding short-term crop loans amounting to Rs 25,180.77 crore from primary agricultural credit cooperative societies and district central cooperative banks as of July 31.

The details

While Bengaluru Urban has the lowest of 10,123 farmers owing Rs 145.20 crore, belagavi has the highest number of borrowers with 4,96,354 farmers owing Rs 3,783.31 crore. As many as 3,06,215 farmers have outstanding medium and long-term farm loans amounting to Rs 5,847.81 crore.

While recovery of medium and long-term loans stood at 95.47% and 96.87%, respectively, officials stated short-term crop-loan recovery stood at 96.67% in 2025-26. Farmers are eligible for zero interest on crop loans up to Rs 5 lakh if repaid within a year, supported by 6% state interest subsidy and 3% central incentive.

On the request for loan waiver, Cooperation Minister Lakshman Savadi said the CM has to take a decision on it. He promised to convene a meeting to address complaints regarding non-availability of loans.

MLC K Shivakumar urged the administration to take steps for greater participation of the SCs and STs in the cooperative sector by providing them membership, loans and jobs.

Why it matters

He said SC/ST farmers are entitled to Rs 5,980 crore loans from the state’s 11,357 cooperative societies under reservation norms. However, only Rs 3,094 crore loans have been disbursed.

He sought an inquiry into the alleged misuse of funds in Kolar district cooperative bank. Savadi said action will be taken in this regard.

ASSEMBLY TABLES THREE BILLS AMID DIN

Amid a din in the House on Tuesday, with opposition members creating a ruckus demanding minister B Nagendra’s resignation over the Valmiki Corporation scam, three bills were tabled.

Background

The assembly moved the bills, including the Bengaluru Development Authority Amendment Bill, Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Heritage Area Development Authority Amendment Bill and Karnataka Town and Town Planning Amendment Bill. Deputy CM G Parameshwara tabled the bills even while opposition members were slamming the ruling party for doing so without debate. Opposition members wore black stoles and raised slogans against the state government and Nagendra.

They did not take part in question hour or zero hour, and heated arguments ensued between ruling and opposition members. Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byregowda said opposition members were a hindrance to privilege motion rights of others. At one point when the BJP was creating chaos, the Speaker had to adjourn the House for some time. Byregowda said MLAs had come prepared to discuss matters concerning their constituencies and others, but the opposition did not allow them to proceed due to politics.