Clashes Erupt in Karnataka's Ballari Over Banner Dispute Between BJP and Congress Supporters

Tensions escalated in Ballari as clashes broke out between supporters of BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy and Congress MLA Bharath Reddy over banner installations. The situation intensified, prompting police intervention to restore order.

In Ballari, tensions escalated on Thursday following clashes between supporters of BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy and Congress MLA Bharath Reddy. The conflict reportedly arose over the installation of banners, according to police reports. Rumours circulated about a fatality due to gunfire during the incident, but police have not confirmed any deaths. Videos on social media showed a private gunman allegedly firing shots into the air as tensions mounted.

The confrontation took place before a Valmiki statue unveiling event planned for January 3 in the city. Supporters of Bharath Reddy attempted to put up banners near Janardhana Reddy’s home in Avambhavi, which led to opposition from Janardhana's supporters. This disagreement quickly turned into a physical altercation, with both sides allegedly engaging in stone-pelting.

Police Intervention and Security Measures

Police sources reported that stones were also thrown at officers who arrived to control the situation. To disperse the crowd and restore order, police resorted to a lathi charge. In response to the unrest, additional police forces were deployed as a precautionary measure, and security was heightened to prevent further incidents.

Janardhana Reddy later spoke to reporters, alleging that Ballari City MLA Bharath Reddy, along with his aide Satish Reddy and father Nara Suryanarayana Reddy, conspired to murder him. He claimed that gunmen fired shots in front of his residence under the guise of a banner dispute.

Allegations and Investigations

Janardhana Reddy alleged that upon his arrival from Gangavathi, gunmen linked to Satish Reddy began firing as he exited his vehicle. He claimed that four to five rounds were fired, displaying bullets he said were used during the incident. Additionally, he accused Bharath Reddy of attempting to incite violence in the town under the pretext of installing a Valmiki statue.

Police stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the sequence of events and verify these allegations. They aim to clarify what transpired and address any potential criminal activities involved in the incident.

With inputs from PTI