An attack on a candidate a few hours preceding the polling, verbal duel between supporters of various political parties and contestants, allegations of inability of booth level officers to comply with electioneering rules and other similar incidents were reported from various parts of Kolar district on Sunday.
Ramachandrappa, Janata Dal (Secular) candidate in Bangarpet (Reserved) constituency was attacked by unidentified assailants in the early hours of Sunday at Doddur Karapanahalli injuring him seriously. Four persons riding two motorcycles attacked the car in which Mr. Ramachandrappa was travelling, dragged him out and thrashed him. The injured JD(S) leader was admitted to District SNR Hospital.
Police had to disperse a mob which gathered near a polling booth at Marjenahalli in Kolar taluk following complaint by supporters of other parties. Additional police forces rushed to the spot on getting information regarding supporters of Independent candidate Varthur Prakash moving towards polling booth violating the rules. They resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse the mob.
Ex-Speaker’s grouse
At polling station no. 276 at Byalahalli in Kolar taluk, which falls under Srinivaspur Assembly Constituency, the former Speaker and Congress nominee K.R. Rameshkumar objected to allowing unauthorised persons to sit inside the premises of polling station. Mr. Rameshkumar was seen arguing with the booth official on this account. Similar incident occurred at P. Jedamakalapalli in Srinivaspur taluk, he alleged.
Though the booth was identified as sensitive, the authorities failed to provide adequate security, Mr. Rameshkumar said. According to him, some influential leaders in the area were coercing voters to vote for a particular party. R. Shivappa, a voter, alleged that JD(S) leader M. Govinda Gowda had threatened him.
One injured
One person was injured in an attack in Chickballapur in connection with polling clashes. Congress activist Babajan was injured when he was assaulted with a knife allegedly by Janata Dal (Secular) supporters. An altercation between the supporters of two parties in connection with carrying voters to the polling booths at Anemadagu village in Sidlaghat taluk in Chickballapur district has been cited as the reason.
