Bengaluru/Ballari, Jan 2 (NationPress) In response to the tragic death of a Congress party worker during a violent confrontation between factions led by Congress MLA Nara Bharat Reddy and BJP MLA Janardhana Reddy in Karnataka's Ballari city, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that a bullet, discharged into the air, inadvertently struck the individual.

While addressing reporters in Bengaluru on Friday, Siddaramaiah remarked, “The conflict arose over a banner issue. Shots were fired into the air, and one of those bullets tragically hit Rajashekar, resulting in his death. We must determine the origin of the bullet.”

“It is crucial to establish whether the bullet was fired by a Congress leader or a BJP leader. An investigation has been initiated,” the Chief Minister added.

Sources indicate that CM Siddaramaiah expressed dissatisfaction with the situation and declined to engage with MLA Bharat Reddy when other officials attempted to facilitate communication. He later reached out to former Minister B. Nagendra and directed Kampli MLA Ganesh to visit the scene.

ADGP (Law and Order) R. Hitendra, speaking in Ballari, stated, “We have confiscated firearms from private security personnel. A total of five firearms have been recovered from both factions. The police utilized only tear gas to disperse the crowd. We have also retrieved bullets from the location and are conducting further investigations.”

“The altercation concerning a banner led to a clash between two factions. Four distinct cases have been filed regarding the incident, including a suo motu case initiated by the police. One complaint relates to the death of the Congress worker, another involves allegations of disrespect towards Maharshi Valmiki, and a case has also been lodged under Section 307,” ADGP Hitendra stated.

The Minister for Housing and Waqf Zameer Ahmad Khan, who oversees Ballari district, remarked that the Chief Minister has conveyed his dissatisfaction over the incident and promised that those accountable would face consequences. “The dispute stemmed from a minor issue but resulted in the tragic death of an innocent individual. It is incorrect to suggest that specific leaders were targeted. I will also be proceeding to Ballari,” he stated.

Ballari city MLA Nara Bharat Reddy and other MLAs visited the home of the deceased Congress worker to participate in the final funeral rites. MLA Bharat Reddy expressed that he would refrain from making comments until after the final rites are completed. “Rajashekar was akin to a brother to me. His loss is deeply felt,” he shared.

Tensions heightened in Karnataka’s Ballari district following the shooting death of a Congress worker on Thursday night. The police indicated that the bullet was fired from a private revolver, although it remains unclear who discharged the fatal shot.

The atmosphere in Ballari city remains tense and precarious.

It is important to note that what initially began as a disagreement over banners in Ballari escalated into a violent confrontation involving two groups allegedly associated with mining magnate and MLA Gali Janardhana Reddy and Congress MLA Nara Bharat Reddy.

The situation intensified further after Janardhana Reddy claimed there was a conspiracy to assassinate him, purportedly orchestrated by the family of Congress MLA Bharat Reddy. In response to the incident, the police enforced prohibitory orders in the vicinity as a precautionary measure.