Cong, BJP workers clash at Banahatti

Police resorted to a lathi charge as workers of BJP and Congress clashed and threw stones at each other at Madanamatti village near here on Monday.

Tension prevailed in the village from morning as workers of the two parties argued with each other. Following this, police camped in the village. Soon, a large of Congress workers rushed to the village from Halingali and Tamadaddi villages. As BJP workers assembled together, Congress workers started displaying lethal weapons like machetes.

As stone throwing followed between the two groups, some of those in the crowd were injured. Police burst teargas shells and caned the groups. A bandh-like atmosphere prevailed in Halingali and Madanamatti villages.

The BJP traditionally gets all the votes at Madanamatti, whenever polls are held. Moreover, the village records 100 per cent voter turnout.

However, in the recent Assembly elections, more than 50 votes from a couple of families had been reportedly cast in favour of the Congress. This had led to a war of words between the BJP leaders in Madanamatti and the Congress leaders in Halingali.

On Monday, a few people from Halingali came to Madanamatti and provoked some people there. The two groups exchanged heated words, leading to a tense
situation.