Questioning the reinduction of B. Nagendra into the State Cabinet, the BJP in Mysuru has sought an explanation from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and the Congress high command on the need to make him a Minister despite allegations against him in the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes.

Mr. Nagendra had earlier been dropped from the Ministry following the allegations and has now been reinstated. “The people of the State want to know whether the Congress was under pressure to induct him,” asked BJP city president L. Nagendra, while addressing presspersons in Mysuru on Wednesday.

MLA T.S. Srivatsa, party spokesperson M. Mohan, district president Subbanna and other leaders were present.

The party questioned the decision to induct Mr. Nagendra when several senior Congress MLAs had been denied Cabinet berths. “Is it right on the part of the Chief Minister to make Mr. Nagendra a Minister when senior party MLAs have been denied an opportunity? The Congress party must make known the reasons for his inclusion. Was the high command under pressure?” Mr. Nagendra asked.

The BJP also questioned why Mr. Nagendra had been dropped from the Ministry earlier if he had done nothing wrong.

In a statement, the BJP said the party would stage protests inside and outside the legislature until Mr. Nagendra was removed from the Cabinet. The JD(S) would also join the protest, it said.

“The Chief Minister must do justice to the Scheduled Tribes by seeking Mr. Nagendra’s resignation. Otherwise, Statewide protests will be held,” the BJP warned, in the statement.