Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP president B Y Vijayendra on August 5 launched a scathing attack on the Congress government over the recent Cabinet expansion, alleging that the exercise was driven by internal power struggles, political compulsions and a “payment quota” rather than governance or merit.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters, Jagannath Bhavan, in Malleswaram, Vijayendra claimed the expansion of Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s Cabinet reflected a tussle for supremacy between the Chief Minister and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, besides pressure from the Congress high command.
ಪೇಮೆಂಟ್ ಕೋಟಾ ಮತ್ತು ಮ್ಯಾನೇಜ್ಮೆಂಟ್ ಕೋಟಾದಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಸಚಿವ ಸಂಪುಟ ವಿಸ್ತರಣೆಯಾಗಿದೆ. ಸಚಿವ ಸ್ಥಾನಕ್ಕೆ ರೇಟ್ ಫಿಕ್ಸ್ ಆಗದ ಕಾರಣ ಡೇಟ್ ಫಿಕ್ಸ್ ಆಗಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ, ವಿಸ್ತರಣೆ ವಿಳಂಬವಾಗಿದ್ದು ಇದೇ ಕಾರಣಕ್ಕೆ. ಪೇಪೆಂಟ್ ಕೋಟಾದಲ್ಲೇ ಬಹುತೇಕರು ಸಚಿವರಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
– ಶ್ರೀ @BYVijayendra ,… pic.twitter.com/hIiZrQnp3D
— BJP Karnataka (@BJP4Karnataka) August 5, 2026
He alleged that the Cabinet expansion, which came nearly two months after D.K. Shivakumar assumed office as Chief Minister, was delayed because of political bargaining and negotiations within the ruling party.
“Earlier, I had repeatedly said that the date for Cabinet expansion would not be fixed until the rate was fixed. Ultimately, ministers have been inducted either through a payment quota or a management quota. There was no third criterion for entering the Cabinet,” Vijayendra alleged.
The BJP leader questioned the Congress leadership over the re-induction of B. Nagendra into the Cabinet despite the latter facing legal proceedings in connection with the alleged Valmiki Development Corporation scam.
According to Vijayendra, Nagendra is facing charges and judicial proceedings after an investigation into the alleged misuse of funds in the corporation. He accused the Congress of abandoning its claims of providing a corruption-free administration by bringing him back into the ministry.
Vijayendra further alleged that reports suggesting Nagendra had threatened to reveal details involving senior Congress leaders if he was denied a ministerial berth had compelled the party leadership to induct him into the Cabinet.
“If these reports are untrue, the Congress leadership should come before the people and clarify the circumstances under which Nagendra was made a minister again,” he said. The BJP state president maintained that the Cabinet expansion was not undertaken in the interest of Karnataka but was instead aimed at balancing internal factions within the Congress and satisfying political interests.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy also intensified the BJP’s attack on the Congress government, demanding Nagendra’s immediate resignation from the Cabinet.
Narayanaswamy said Nagendra continues to face court proceedings and questioned how a minister facing such allegations could continue to hold office.”He cannot remain a minister while the case is pending. Until he resigns, we will continue our agitation,” he said. The BJP leader warned that the party would launch a statewide protest if Nagendra were not removed from the Cabinet.
He announced that the BJP would raise the issue aggressively during the upcoming monsoon session of the Karnataka Legislature beginning August 13. If the government refuses to remove Nagendra from the Cabinet, we will not allow the Assembly and Council to function smoothly. We are prepared for a sustained protest both inside and outside the Legislature,” Narayanaswamy said.
He further alleged that Congress had effectively “auctioned” ministerial positions after the formation of the new government. Referring to allegations that have surfaced in recent days, Narayanaswamy claimed videos and audio clips circulating in the public domain had strengthened suspicions about the manner in which ministerial berths were distributed.
He also revisited the alleged Rs 187-crore Valmiki Development Corporation scam, stating that Nagendra had resigned from the previous ministry only after sustained protests by BJP leaders and legislators. “He was forced to resign, was arrested and went to jail. Even now, he is out on bail. Yet, despite all these serious allegations, the Congress has rewarded him with a ministerial berth,” Narayanaswamy alleged.
He further claimed that Nagendra’s re-induction was prompted by fears that he could disclose the names of other leaders allegedly linked to the controversy if denied a Cabinet position.
