K’taka council polls: Clashes erupt between Congress and BJP workers in Bengaluru, Gadag 

Bengaluru, Oct 23 (IANS) Tension prevailed near polling booths in Bengaluru and Gadag on Friday as Congress and BJP workers clashed during the Karnataka Legislative Council elections. 

In Bengaluru, BJP MLA Munirathna was allegedly heckled and physically attacked by Congress workers near a polling centre in Nagarbhavi, while in Gadag, a heated confrontation broke out between workers of the two parties outside Municipal College over alleged violations of election rules.

In Bengaluru, the situation turned tense after Munirathna, the BJP MLA from Rajarajeshwari Nagar, arrived near the polling centre in Nagarbhavi.

Congress workers surrounded and heckled him, allegedly tore his clothes and raised derogatory slogans, triggering a physical confrontation between supporters of the two parties. Police personnel intervened to bring the situation under control.

Munirathna strongly criticised the Congress leadership, particularly former MP D.K. Suresh and his elder brother, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. 

He alleged that Congress workers had been targeting him through planned personal and physical attacks ever since D.K. Suresh lost the Lok Sabha election in Bengaluru Rural.

The Bangalore Teachers' Constituency election has witnessed an intense political contest, with the BJP-JD(S) NDA alliance fielding A.P. Ranganath against the Congress candidate Puttanna. 

The rivalry between Munirathna and the D.K. brothers in the Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Bengaluru Rural constituencies has previously resulted in several public confrontations.

Meanwhile, in Gadag, Congress and BJP workers engaged in a heated exchange outside Municipal College during the election to the Western Graduates' Constituency. 

Workers from both parties raised slogans in support of their respective leaders, with BJP supporters backing MLA C.C. Patil and Congress workers raising slogans in support of former minister H.K. Patil.

The confrontation escalated after BJP workers accused the police of allowing Congress workers into the polling booth premises in violation of election regulations. 

They alleged that restrictions should have been enforced to prevent party workers from entering within 100 metres of the polling booth.

Accusing the police of misusing their authority and failing to enforce election rules uniformly, BJP workers expressed strong displeasure. C.C. Patil also lashed out at police officials and demanded the immediate removal of Congress workers from the polling booth premises.

Police personnel struggled to control workers from both parties and restore order in Gadag.

The polling was done for four seats in the Karnataka Legislative Council, with elections being held for two graduates’ constituencies and two teachers’ constituencies. A total of 43 candidates are in the fray, making the contest keen as voters exercised their franchise to elect their representatives to the Upper House.

The ruling Congress and the Opposition NDA are locking horns in the elections for the four Legislative Council seats -- two Graduates’ and two Teachers’ constituencies.

In the Southeast Graduates’ constituency, Congress' Shashi Hulikunte Mutt is facing the BJP’s K M Suresh (Someshwara).

In the West Graduates’ constituency, Congress' Mohan Limbikai is taking on the BJP’s Sankanur S.V.

In the North East Teachers’ constituency, Sharanappa Mattur of Congress is facing the BJP’s Shashil G. Namoshi.

In the Bengaluru Teachers’ constituency, Congress's Puttanna is contesting against A.P. Ranganath of the JD(S).

The results of the elections will be announced on October 27. This will be the first election for the Karnataka Congress under its President B.K. Hariprasad, who is also an MLC. Currently, the 75-member Legislative Council has five vacant spots.

--IANS 

mka/dan