BJP, Congress workers clash in Suddaguntepalya; stones pelted at booth in Hanur village

BENGALURU/CHAMARAJANAGAR: Tension prevailed for some time in Suddaguntepalya after BJP and Congress workers clashed outside a polling station, over alleged influence on voters in C V Raman Nagar under Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency. The Baiyyappanahalli police immediately arrived at the scene and dispersed the protesters.

As per police sources, a person identified as Mohan came to vote with his family to the polling station wearing a saffron T-shirt, but was prevented from entering the polling station after which he allegedly assaulted a Congess worker. He was also accused of influencing voters at the polling station. As tensions rose, a KSRP contingent reached the spot.

Congress workers alleged that BJP activists were influencing voters to cast votes for their party. MLC Narayanaswamy came to the polling station and staged a protest outside along with other party workers.

Deputy CP Kuldeep Kumar Jain (East Division) visited the spot and made all efforts to convince the Congress workers to dispers. The protesters demanded that the police take action against BJP workers.

The protesters alleged that the police were not doing anything, though BJP workers had clashed with them. the Congress leaders demanded arrest of the person who assaulted a Congress worker. They said that until they get justice, they would not budge and continued the protest for sometime. Two Deputy Commissioners of Police came to the spot and dispersed the crowd before the issue got out of hand.

In a separate incident in Chamarajanagara district, villagers from Indiganatta in Hanur taluk pelted stones at the officials who had gone to convince people boycotting the election to cast their votes.

The villagers had boycotted voting over lack of proper drinking water and electricity in the village. Some officials tried to convince the villagers and take them to the polling stations, but a group of villagers started ruckus claiming that the entire village had boycotted voting.

Soon, a clash ensued between two groups, which vandalised the EVMs and the furniture at the polling station. It has been learned that some officers suffered minor injuries in the incident.

Villagers from five villages in Mahadeshwara Hill limits stayed away from voting over lack of infrastructure. They include residents of Indiganatta, Tekane, Mendare and Tulasikere.