B Nagendra resigned from the Karnataka cabinet on Friday, August 28, amid continued political pressure over alleged financial irregularities in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation.

Nagendra, who had returned to the cabinet earlier this month after D K Shivakumar became Karnataka Chief Minister, became emotional while announcing his resignation. He said the decision was taken voluntarily and denied that the Congress leadership had asked him to step down.

“I take my own decisions,” Nagendra said when asked whether the party high command had directed him to resign.

Why B Nagendra resigned

The controversy relates to alleged irregularities of Rs. 89 crore in the Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation. The issue came to light in May 2024 after corporation accounts officer Chandrasekharan P died by suicide and left behind a note alleging unauthorised transfers of funds.

Subsequent investigations found that large amounts had been transferred from the corporation’s bank accounts to other accounts.

Nagendra, who was the Tribal Welfare Minister in the Siddaramaiah cabinet at the time, had resigned in June 2024 amid the controversy.

He was re-inducted into the cabinet on August 3 after Shivakumar took over as Chief Minister and was given the Planning and Statistics portfolio.

Nagendra denies allegations

While announcing his latest resignation, Nagendra questioned the allegations against him and said the BJP had been asked several times to discuss them in the Karnataka Assembly.

He alleged that the BJP was targeting him because he is a Dalit and accused the party of having an anti-tribal mindset. He also alleged that the BJP wanted to “impose the Manusmriti”.

Nagendra said he was resigning of his own free will and became emotional during the announcement.

BJP protest puts pressure on Congress

The Karnataka BJP has announced a 10-day foot march from Raichur to Ballari from September 1 to 10. The party plans to highlight what it describes as failures of the Congress government.

Nagendra’s re-induction into the cabinet was expected to be one of the major issues during the 200-km march. Other issues listed by the BJP include farmer distress, unemployment and alleged corruption in recruitment.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi is scheduled to inaugurate the march, according to Karnataka BJP chief B Y Vijayendra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday condoled the death of Norway’s King Harald V, who passed away at the age of 89.

In a post on X, PM Modi said he was deeply saddened by the death of the Norwegian monarch and recalled meeting him during his visit to Norway earlier this year.

PM Modi remembers King Harald V

PM Modi said his interaction with King Harald V left a lasting impression, particularly because of the monarch’s warmth and dedication to his country.

He extended his condolences to the Norwegian Royal Family as well as the people of Norway following the King’s death.

King Harald V was Europe’s oldest monarch at the time of his death. He had served as Norway’s king since 1991 and was known for modernising the country’s royal institution while maintaining a strong connection with the Norwegian people.

The Norwegian monarch also spent part of his childhood in exile in the United States during the Nazi occupation of Norway.

King Harald V’s death has prompted tributes from leaders and royal families around the world. His son, Crown Prince Haakon, has succeeded him following his death.

Nepal has temporarily halted rescue operations after authorities received information that a water barrier on the Tibetan side of the border had breached, raising the risk of further flooding in the Himalayan region.

Police warned security personnel, rescue workers and members of the public involved in relief operations to remain alert and immediately move to safer locations.

The warning came two days after a glacial collapse triggered deadly flash flooding in Nepal, killing 469 people. Around 1,400 people are still missing, including hundreds of foreigners, according to the information provided by authorities.

Nepalese authorities stopped rescue operations for 90 minutes amid concerns that another wave of flooding could hit the area within hours.

Narendra Pariyar, the senior bureaucrat of Nepal’s Rasuwa district, said the water level in the river was rising. Helicopter rescue operations were also suspended, while residents were seen moving towards higher ground.

China pauses rescue operations in Tibet

China also suspended rescue operations in the affected area, citing the risk of renewed flooding.

A lake had formed near the China-Nepal border after large amounts of mud and debris accumulated following a mudslide. The lake began overflowing towards areas where rescue teams had been working.

Chinese authorities ordered rescue teams to remain on standby and withdraw one kilometre from the affected area as a precaution.

The developments came as hundreds of people remained missing in Tibet following the deadly mudslide.

Barrier lake raises fresh flood fears

The barrier lake formed after mud and debris hit the Gyirong border hub in Tibet on Wednesday. Aerial footage captured by a Chinese rescue team on Thursday showed brown water accumulating in a basin with no visible outlet.

The water had already covered bushes and trees and was pressing against a barrier made of debris and stones.

Earlier, rescuers and residents on the lower banks in Nepal had been advised to move to higher ground. Chinese personnel and vehicles were also moved away from the area as concerns grew over the possibility of the lake bursting.

Authorities were also concerned about potential secondary disasters, including mountain collapses and avalanches.

The renewed warning has added to the challenges facing rescue teams as Nepal continues efforts to locate those still missing after the devastating flash floods.