Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre challenged the opposition to address pending criminal cases against its own chief ministers and cabinet members before scrutinizing Nagendra. His sentiments were shared by Ramalinga Reddy, who noted that numerous central ministers, including those representing Karnataka, face unresolved allegations. The government maintains that the re-induction of Nagendra into the cabinet follows a rigorous internal review, claiming that departmental reports cleared him of direct involvement in the Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation theft.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar defended the decision during the India Today Karnataka Roundtable, emphasizing that the state administration acted decisively by securing Nagendra’s resignation two years ago when the investigation first began. He characterized the current BJP-led backlash as a selective moral crusade, pointing to the party’s silence regarding criminal charges against its own leadership. Despite central agency charge sheets detailing the multi-crore money-laundering case, the state government insists its process was transparent, relying on internal assessments to justify the minister's return to office.
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