BJP Leader's Complaint Leads to FIR in Bengaluru Poll Violence
Police have filed a case against five individuals at the Annapurneshwari Nagar police station in Bengaluru after violence broke out during polling for the Bengaluru Teachers Constituency of the Legislative Council. The police update came on Saturday.
The accused have been named as Shekhar, Velu Naiker, Mohan Kumar, Shashukumar and GK Venkatesh alias NTR.
The FIR follows a complaint lodged by BJP leader and former corporator Govindaraju. In his complaint, he said the clash during the Legislative Council election was an attack on him.
The incident happened on Friday at Ambedkar College near Nagarabhavi, within the Rajarajeshwari Nagar Assembly constituency. Congress and BJP workers clashed while voting was taking place there. Govindaraju alleged that Congress workers assaulted him. Police have begun a further inquiry into the events.
BJP leaders and workers protested at the venue after the scuffle. They sought justice for Govindaraju, punishment for the guilty and action against those who attacked him. They also raised concern about the violence that occurred during the electoral process.
The situation grew tense again when BJP MLA Munirathna, who represents the Rajarajeshwari Nagar constituency, arrived at the same location. Congress workers surrounded him and allegedly behaved inappropriately towards him. Reports say his clothes were torn and derogatory slogans were shouted. The incident led to a confrontation between the supporters of both parties, after which police intervened to control the situation and prevent further violence.
Munirathna strongly criticised the Congress leadership, naming former MP DK Suresh and his elder brother, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. He alleged that after DK Suresh lost the Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha election, Congress workers began targeting him through planned personal attacks and physical assault. The allegations have not been independently verified.
The Bengaluru Teachers Constituency election has seen fierce political competition. The BJP-JD(S) NDA alliance has fielded AP Ranganath to contest against Congress candidate Puttanna. Political tension between workers of both parties has also risen during the campaign.
The rivalry between Munirathna and the Shivakumar brothers in the Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Bengaluru Rural constituencies has earlier triggered several public clashes. Police are continuing to probe the complaint related to Friday's incident.