Karnataka Congress forms delegation to visit Ballari to review situation after clashes
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Congress President D K Shivakumar on Friday constituted a six-member delegation to visit Ballari, where clashes erupted over the installation of banners ahead of a statue unveiling programme.
Shivakumar, also the deputy chief minister, has instructed the delegation to visit Ballari immediately and submit a report after analysing the situation there.
"It has come to light that a Congress worker has died in an unfortunate incident that occurred recently during clashes between leaders of various political parties in Ballari city. Information has been received that this incident has led to a tense atmosphere in Ballari," Shivakumar said in a official communication as the State Congress President.
In order to comprehensively assess the situation at the local level in connection with this incident, six leaders are being deputed as a delegation, he stated.
"The KPCC delegation is requested to proceed to Ballari today itself, visit the place where the incident occurred, and, with the cooperation of local leaders, thoroughly assess the incident and collect all relevant information," it added.
One person died in the clashes that allegedly broke out between supporters of BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy and Congress MLA Bharath Reddy over the installation of banners on Thursday evening, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordering an inquiry into the incident.
So, far four FIRs were registered in connection with the violent clashes, police said.
BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy and former minister Sriramulu, and others were booked in connection with the clashes, they added.
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Ballari clash: Sriramulu, Janardhana Reddy hold press meet; statue unveiling postponed
Ballari: Former minister B Sriramulu and Gangavathi MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy addressed a joint press conference on Friday, a day after a violent clash broke out between rival Reddy groups over the installation of banners ahead of the Valmiki statue unveiling programme in the city.
Speaking to reporters, Sriramulu said the death of Rajasekhar Reddy, who was killed by a gunshot during the clash, was painful. He said he and his party would stand by the victim’s family and extend support to them. Alleging that Ballari MLA Nara Bharath Reddy was responsible for the incident, Sriramulu demanded legal action against him and called for a thorough probe to establish whose bullet caused Rajasekhar Reddy’s death.
Sriramulu further alleged that the clash was premeditated, claiming that a group had come near their residence with petrol-filled beer bottles and stones, allegedly with the intention of attacking them. He also alleged that there was an attempt to assault Janardhana Reddy.
Janardhana Reddy, addressing the media, said the incident had made him fear for his life. He alleged that there was an attempt to kill him and held Bharath Reddy responsible for the violence. Former minister Somasekhar Reddy, BJP Ballari district leaders and party workers were also present at the press meet.
The clash occurred on Thursday night in the Havambhavi area when rival groups confronted each other over putting up banners for the Valmiki statue unveiling scheduled for January 3. During the violence, a Congress worker was shot dead. Police have registered four separate cases in connection with the incident, including one taken up suo motu.
Responding to the allegations, Ballari MLA Bharath Reddy said the party was mourning the loss of its worker, Rajasekhar Reddy, whom he described as a close associate. He accused Janardhana Reddy of trying to divert attention from illegal mining issues and said the death had cast a shadow over the planned celebrations. He announced that the Valmiki statue unveiling programme had been postponed due to the prevailing atmosphere of grief.
Meanwhile, Ballari Rural MLA B Nagendra confirmed that the statue unveiling event had been temporarily deferred following the clash and on the advice of the Chief Minister. He said the programme would be held on a later date under the leadership of the Chief Minister and senior ministers. Nagendra also criticised Janardhana Reddy, saying there was no place for what he described as a “Republic of Ballari” mindset under the present administration, and asserted that the government would not allow any form of intimidation or lawlessness.
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