MYSURU: Tension prevailed in Gundlupet town as thousands of BJP and Congress workers who had congregated during the filing of nomination papers of their leaders, pelted stones and slippers at each other.
Four BJP workers were injured in the clashes and were shifted to the government hospital. The police had to resort to lathicharge to bring the situation under control.
BJP workers led by former minister Arvind Limbavali staged a dharna in front of the police station here. They accused the Congress workers and leaders of highhandedness and alleged that the police had acted like mute spectators by not preventing the clashes from taking place.
Limbavali demanded the suspension of the circle inspector and the sub inspector for failing to protect BJP workers from the hooliganism of Congress workers.
It all started when BJP workers took out a mammoth rally in support of BJP candidate Nirajan Kumar to file nomination papers.
BJP activists gathered near the municipality office. A large number of Congress workers were preparing for a procession at the same time. Soon, miscreants started throwing stones and slippers at each other which led to clashes. The police then resorted to lathicharge.
Limbavali warned of intensifying their protest if senior police officers fail to act against the errant policemen.
Before this, Nirajan Kumar of the BJP was taken out in a massive procession to file nomination papers along with B S Yeddyurappa and others.