Chitradurga, Apr 13 (DHNS): The police resorted to lathi charge to control the situation when Molakalmuru MLA S Thippeswamy's supporters hurled stones and footwears at MP B Sriramulu's car on Friday morning at Nayakanahatti.

As the police caned mob, hundreds of them ran helter-skelter. Several BJP workers who had gathered at Thipperudraswamy temple to receive the MP fled to safety.

For a while, the temple premises turned into a virtual war zone. Amidst tight security, Ramulu entered the temple and offered puja.

Meanwhile, the State BJP president B S Yeddyurappa in Hubli told reporters about the incident that Sriramulu was capable of handling the situation.

"He would take a call and handle the situation," Yeddyurappa said.

The voice of dissent has intensified ever since the BJP decided to field the MP from Molakalmuru Assembly segment rejecting the ticket to S Thippeswamy, the sitting MLA.

A day after the BJP announced its first list, the MLA had marched to Ballari along with his supporters to seek an answer from Sriramulu. They had even planned to lay a siege to the MP's residence.