Supporters of Congress MLA Bharath Reddy & BJP's Janardhana Reddy clash over banner in Karnataka

Ballari: A clash broke out between the supporters of Congress legislator N Bharat Reddy and the supporters of BJP leader and Gangavathi MLA G Janardhana Reddy over putting up banners in front of the latter’s house here on Thursday.

In the melee, Bharath Reddy’s aides reportedly opened fire in the air. It all started when the supporters of Bharath Reddy, led by his aide Satish Reddy, tried to erect banners for the proposed event to install Valmiki statue, in front of the residence of Janardhana Reddy.

Tension flared, when BJP leader B Sriramulu and supporters of Janardhana Reddy raised objections to putting up banners. Both the groups started pelting stones at each other. On seeing Janardhana Reddy at the spot, Satish Reddy opened fire in the air. Several people reportedly suffered injuries in the group clash. However, there is no official confirmation on the number of people injured in the incident.

Moments later, more than a thousand supporters of Bharath Reddy, wielding sticks, logs and stones, marched from SP Circle to Janardhana Reddy’s residence.

They attacked and vandalised the BJP leader’s house. The police intervened and opened the fire in the air to disperse the mob.

Following the group clash, Janardhana Reddy told the reporters, “It was a conspiracy to kill me. When I visited the spot, there was an attempt to shoot me. Bharath Reddy has not done any development in the constituency. There is a strong anti-incumbency wave against the Congress MLA. He is indulging in vote bank politics by installing a statue of Valmiki. When Sriramulu tried to stop Bharath Reddy’s supporters from putting up banners in front of my house, they started throwing stones. The law and order has completely collapsed under the Congress government,” he charged.