Bantwal: Rai Versus Rai - Clash Erupts During Congress Leaders' Visit
 
Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (VM)
Pics: Kishore Peraje
 
Bantwal, Nov 25: Talks of internal conflicts between two groups within the local Congress have been making the rounds quite for sometime now, but on Saturday November 24, the differences were out in the open when Congress leaders Sagir Ahmed and Venkatesh arrived to discuss about candidates for the upcoming assembly elections.

During their visit, dispute arose among supporters of B Ramanath Rai, district Congress president and those of Ashwani Kumar Rai, KPCC secretary. The supporters of the two groups started shouting slogans in support of their candidates, leading to a chaos.
 
Sagir Ahmed and Venkatesh had been to the city to gather information from Congress leaders and voters. As soon as they entered the block Congress office, the supporters of the two groups started shouting slogans and barged in.

Chaos and squabbles lasted among the two groups for a long time. The supporters were finally sent out of the office and a meeting between Beltangady, Bantwal, Panemangalore blocks and party leaders was held.
 
Later the leaders held a long discussion with Ashwani Kumar and his supporters. Though no definite information is available of what transpired during the meeting, it is said that Ashwani told the leaders that he was being sidelined by the party.
 
Speaking to reporters, Sagir Ahmed and Venkatesh said that they came here not to choose candidates and that such decision would be left to the high command.
 
"We have come here only to gather information about the selection of candidates and to strengthen the party as per the order of the high command. The final decision will be left to the party leaders," they said.
 
On the conflict among the two groups, he said it was a result of the love and affection shown by party workers towards their leaders.