By Yashodhara Bangera

Daijiworld Media Network—Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Jul 3: The election for the post of president and vice-president of Paladka Grama Panchayat was held in the midst of arguments between the Congress and BJP activists who were also pushing each other.

While election official Dinesh Kumar was announcing the results of the election, local Congress leader Sathish Marla said that Savita was made to stand for elections by the Congress and they have spent on her candidature. “The BJP has turned her and made her the president. The husband of Savitha owes me Rs 13.50 lac and she had agreed to support Congress if that amount was paid to her. As we refused, she has joined the BJP which is unjust,” he said.

BJP leader K P Sucharitha Shetty, in his clarification, said that the BJP has not turned anybody. “The election of President is held in the presence of all members in a transparent manner and the Congress is accusing us in desperation,” he said.

There were arguments and pushing between members of both parties. As the news spread, BJP and Congress workers from Moodbidri and other places arrived in vehicles and the situation spiraled out of control. Meanwhile, a couple of policemen present there intervened and tried to dilute the situation but to no avail.

Moodbidri police inspector Anantha Padmanabha arrived later and drove away the party workers. Separate celebrations for the newly elected president and vice-president were held later.