CM stokes speculation on Nagendra return to Cabinet

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday triggered speculation that Congress MLA from Ballari Rural B Nagendra would be re-inducted into the Cabinet. Back in June, Nagendra had quit as the state Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs due to his name coming up in the Valmiki Corporation illegal money transfer scam. However, the CM claimed that the allegations against Nagendra were false. He made the comments during the inauguration of development works in HD Kote taluk of Mysuru district on Tuesday at a cost of Rs 443.64 crores. The CM also pledged Rs 2 crore for a local Valmiki Bhavan.

“Not a single paisa will be given from the funds reserved for the Valmiki Corporation. A false case was lodged against Nagendra, who had been the Scheduled Tribe (ST) Welfare Minister. Now, Nagendra has been released from jail. After the by-election, I’ll make a good decision on thism” Siddaramaiah said. Nagendra comes from Nayaka community as does local HD Kote MLA Anil Chikkamadu. In fact, Prasannananda Puri Swamiji of the Rajanahalli mutt demanded on the occasion that Anil be inducted into the Cabinet. Chikkamadu is currently the Jungle Lodges and Resorts Chairman.