A violent confrontation between supporters of the Congress and the Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha (KRPP) turned deadly in Karnataka’s Ballari district on Thursday evening, leaving a 28-year-old Congress worker dead.
According to a report in India TV, the clash broke out in the Avambhavi area when supporters of Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy attempted to put up banners near the residence of KRPP legislator Janardhana Reddy, ahead of a Valmiki statue unveiling programme scheduled for January 3. The move was opposed by Janardhana Reddy’s supporters, triggering a heated argument.
The situation soon spiralled out of control, with both sides allegedly engaging in stone-pelting. Amid the violence, one person was shot and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in serious condition.
Both camps traded blame after the incident. Janardhana Reddy alleged a conspiracy to kill him, accusing Bharath Reddy and his aide Satish Reddy of orchestrating the attack and claiming that four to five gunshots were fired outside his house.
Bharath Reddy, however, rejected the allegations and held Janardhana Reddy responsible for the violence, saying that some people do not want Ballari to remain peaceful or the Valmiki programme to take place.
Police have stepped up security in the area and are investigating the incident.
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