BENGALURU: Tension gripped outside Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru on Monday as BJP leaders and workers attempted to enter the state legislature during a protest demanding the resignation of minister B Nagendra over the alleged multi-crore Karnataka Dalit Valmiki Corporation scam.Police stopped the protesters at the gates, with BJP leaders pushing against the barricades as officers tried to prevent them from moving forward. The confrontation led to brief scuffles between the protesters and police.The protest was held after Leader of Opposition R Ashoka announced on Sunday that the BJP, along with the JD(S), would “lay siege” to Vidhana Soudha over the alleged scam and demand answers from the state government.Earlier on Monday, BJP leaders and workers gathered at Freedom Park for a large protest before marching towards Vidhana Soudha.The BJP’s demonstration came a day after Ashoka accused the Congress government of failing to take action over the alleged diversion of funds from the Karnataka Dalit Valmiki Corporation.Ashoka alleged that Rs 187 crore belonging to the corporation had been taken from the state treasury and used to fund Congress election campaigns in Karnataka and Telangana.At a press conference in Bengaluru, Ashoka rejected suggestions that Nagendra was being targeted because he is a Dalit.“This is not simply about Nagendra. It is about Nagendra in connection with the Rs 187 crore of Dalit money belonging to the Valmiki Corporation that was allegedly siphoned off.”Ashoka also claimed that documents supporting the allegations had been released and questioned why Congress leaders were protesting against the BJP’s demonstrations.“For the past one week, it has been common knowledge that Rs 187 crore belonging to the Karnataka Dalit Valmiki Corporation was looted from the treasury and sent for the Congress party’s elections in Karnataka and Telangana. I have released the documents in this regard. Despite this, the Congress leaders are protesting against us. Why are they protesting against our protest? The ruling party itself is taking to the streets in protest because they want to hide the truth. If there was no truth in these allegations, there would have been no need for them to come onto the streets. The people would have decided for themselves, saying, “There is no truth in this”,” he added.
