Congress Worker Killed in Clash Between Congress and BJP Supporters in Karnataka’s Ballari

Bengaluru: A Congress worker was shot dead during a violent clash between Congress and BJP supporters in Karnataka’s Ballari district on Thursday night. The deceased has been identified as Rajashekar.

The violence reportedly erupted over a dispute related to the installation of banners for Valmiki Jayanti celebrations. The confrontation involved supporters of Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and BJP MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy. Tensions escalated after BJP workers objected to Congress supporters putting up a banner in front of Janardhana Reddy’s residence.

What began as a verbal altercation soon turned violent, with both groups resorting to stone-pelting. Police personnel who attempted to defuse the situation were also attacked. To bring the situation under control, the police carried out a lathi charge and fired tear gas shells.

During the incident, a video showing a man holding a firearm at the scene surfaced on social media, raising serious security concerns.

Meanwhile, Gali Janardhana Reddy alleged that Nara Bharath Reddy and his father, Suryanarayana Reddy, had conspired to assassinate him, claiming that the banner dispute was deliberately orchestrated as part of the plot. He made these allegations while displaying bullets reportedly recovered from the scene. Police have registered cases against leaders and workers from both sides and have launched a detailed investigation into the incident.