Van torched in political rivalry

A group stopped the van in which Ramanjaneya Reddy, Congress supported candidate was travelling  and destroyed it  suspecting that  liquor was being transported to be distributed to voters during election. Later the group set fire to the van, which was reduced to ashes.  The occupants of the van immediately jumped out and fled, and no loss of life or injury has been reported.

Later Ramanjaneya Reddy lodged a complaint with the police in which he has stated that he was returning to Kundalagurki from a neighbouring village and his rival candidate K M Venkatesh, his children and other 21 supporters stopped his car, destroyed it and set fire to it.

Following the incident tension prevailed in the village. Police deputed special force and brought the situation under control.

Preparations
Preparations are in full swing at the mini Vidhana Soudha in Mulbagal for the gram panchayat elections scheduled to be held on May 8.
The poll materials have to delivered at the designated poll centres by May 7 and the staff are busy sorting them out.

Forms, covers, seals and other materials are being packed. All the packed materials will be transported to Govt junior college and stored there, to be distributed to polling officer.
After polling on Saturday, the Electronic Voting Machines and and documents related to voting will be recieved at the Government Junior College here. State Election Commission Observer  Babanna and Additional Deputy Commissioner Gangadharayya have already visited the city and supervised the election arrangements.

Holiday
In view of the gram panchayat elections, in 30 districts of the State, general holiday has been declared on May 8.
All State and Central government offices, State and Central  government factories and industries, education institutions, aided schools and colleges will be closed on May 8.
However, the TMC and CMC offices in the areas will remain open according to a release from the deputy commissioner's office.
DH News Service