Seat brawl: Violence erupts as Sriramulu begins his campaign

The police resorted to lathi charge to control the situation when supporters of the sitting MLA from Molakalmuru S Thippeswamy stoned MP B Sriramulu's car, besides throwing footwear on Friday morning at Nayakanahatti. Earlier, BJP had decided to field the MP, rejecting the ticket to S Thippeswamy.

As the police caned the mob, hundreds of them ran helter-skelter. Several BJP workers who had gathered at Thipperudraswamy temple to receive the MP fled to safety.

For a while, the temple premises turned into a virtual war zone.

Amidst tight security, Sriramulu entered the temple and offered puja.

Meanwhile, BJP state president B S Yeddyurappa in Hubli told reporters that Sriramulu was capable of handling the situation. "He would take a call and handle the situation," Yeddyurappa said.

The voice of dissent has intensified ever since the BJP decided to field the MP from Molakalmuru.

A day after the BJP announced its first list, the MLA had marched to Ballari along with his supporters to seek an answer from Sriramulu.

They had even planned to lay a siege to the MP's residence.