Bengaluru: The political heat over the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes Development Corporation scam intensified on Monday, with the BJP staging a major protest outside the Vidhana Soudha and demanding the resignation of Minister B Nagendra, who has been accused in connection with the case.

The protest drew a heavy police presence, with more than 500 personnel deployed around the Vidhana Soudha to prevent any breach of security and maintain law and order.

Several senior BJP leaders were taken into preventive custody after protesters gathered in large numbers near the Vidhana Soudha premises. Those detained included Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R Ashoka and BJP state president B Y Vijayendra.

The large gathering of BJP workers and the deployment of a substantial police force led to heightened tension in the area for some time. Police subsequently detained the protesters as a precautionary measure.

The protest also resulted in temporary restrictions at the nearby Namma Metro station. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) shut two entrances of the Vidhana Soudha Metro station as a precaution in view of the gathering.

In a statement, BMRCL said entrances E and F, which are lift entrances, were closed from 10.17 am following advice from local authorities.

The remaining entrances of the station continued to remain open for passengers to enter and exit.

The BJP has stepped up its attack on the state government over the Valmiki Corporation scam, making the demand for Nagendra’s resignation a key part of its campaign against the ruling Congress.