Political Clashes in Ballari Result in Death of Congress Worker

In Ballari, Karnataka, a violent confrontation between two political factions resulted in the death of a Congress party worker on Thursday evening. The incident occurred in the Havambavi area, specifically outside the residence of Gali Janardhana Reddy, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Gangavathi.

The conflict erupted as supporters of Nara Bharat Reddy, the Congress MLA for Ballari, attempted to erect banners in preparation for the unveiling of a Valmiki statue scheduled for January 3. A dispute arose when Bharat Reddy's supporters moved to place banners near Janardhana Reddy's home, which led to accusations of provocation.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the situation escalated quickly, with individuals on both sides engaging in stone-pelting. As tensions mounted, police intervened, employing a lathicharge—an action involving the use of batons—to disperse the crowd. During this chaos, gunfire was reported, resulting in the tragic death of Rajashekhar, a supporter of Nara Bharat Reddy.

Gali Janardhana Reddy alleged that the gunfire was an assassination attempt against him. "When I arrived, Bharat Reddy's supporters had placed chairs blocking access to my house; I was then shot at by his supporters," Reddy stated, while holding up a bullet casing as evidence of the attack.

In response to the violence, additional police forces have been deployed to maintain order in the area. Karnataka's new Superintendent of Police, Pawan Nejjur, is overseeing the situation directly from the scene.

Following the incident, the Karnataka Police lodged a formal complaint against Gali Janardhana Reddy and ten others, including his brother, for their involvement in the clashes. Charges against them include attempted murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, and criminal intimidation, among others.

The political ramifications of the incident are significant, as both factions blame each other for the violence. Nara Bharat Reddy has dismissed the allegations made by Janardhana Reddy as unfounded, suggesting they are a deflection from his own political missteps.

Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the clash and have urged residents to remain calm. The situation is being closely monitored as the community prepares for the statue unveiling, a politically significant event that has now become overshadowed by violence.