Bengaluru, Aug. 21 -- The political face-off between the ruling Congress and the BJP in Karnataka intensified on Friday as the two parties staged counter protests in front of the Vidhana Soudha. The BJP was protesting against the induction of B Nagendra in the state cabinet alleging that he was tainted in the Valmiki scandal. The Congress staged a counter protest against the BJP alleging that the opposition was trying to disrupt house proceedings.

Meanwhile, Nagendra remained defiant and questioned why he should resign saying that Opposition leaders are targeting him because he is a Dalit.

Speaking on the matter, Nagendra said, "The party president has instructed me not to speak before the media. Why should I resign? The Opposition lead...