FIR against 5 in Bengaluru Teachers' Constituency poll clashes
Synopsis
Polling for the Bengaluru Teachers' Constituency of the Legislative Council turned violent on Friday, with BJP and Congress workers clashing at Ambedkar College near Nagarbhavi. An FIR has been registered against five named individuals, BJP MLA Munirathna was allegedly heckled and manhandled, and long-running political rivalries in Rajarajeshwari Nagar are once again at the centre of Karnataka's political storm.
Key Takeaways
Annapoorneshwari Nagar police in Bengaluru filed an FIR against five people — Shekar, Velu Naikar, Mohan Kumar, Shasukumar, and G.K.
Venkatesh alias NTR — over poll-day clashes.
The incident occurred at Ambedkar College, Nagarbhavi during voting for the Bengaluru Teachers' Constituency of the Legislative Council on Friday, 24 October 2025 .
BJP former Corporator Govindaraju alleged he was assaulted by Congress workers and filed the complaint.
BJP MLA Munirathna was allegedly surrounded, heckled, and had his clothes torn by Congress workers when he arrived at the site; police intervened to restore order.
Munirathna alleged the attacks were part of a pattern since D.K.
Suresh lost the Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha election; allegations remain unverified.
The contest pits BJP-JD(S) NDA candidate A.P.
Ranganath against Congress nominee Puttanna ; investigation is ongoing.
Annapoorneshwari Nagar police in Bengaluru have registered an FIR against five individuals — Shekar, Velu Naikar, Mohan Kumar, Shasukumar, and G.K. Venkatesh alias NTR — following a complaint by BJP leader and former Corporator Govindaraju over clashes that erupted during polling for the Bengaluru Teachers' Constituency of the Legislative Council on Friday, 24 October 2025. Police confirmed the development on Saturday.
Where the Clashes Occurred
The incident took place at Ambedkar College near Nagarbhavi in the Rajarajeshwari Nagar Assembly constituency. Workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress allegedly clashed during the polling process. Govindaraju alleged that Congress workers physically assaulted him during the altercation. Police have taken up further investigation into the matter.
In the aftermath, BJP leaders and workers staged a protest at the location, demanding justice for Govindaraju and calling for legal action against those reportedly responsible for the assault. Concerns were also raised about the disruption to the electoral process.
BJP MLA Munirathna Heckled at the Scene
Tensions escalated further when BJP MLA Munirathna, who represents the Rajarajeshwari Nagar constituency, arrived at the site. According to reports, Congress workers allegedly surrounded him, heckled him, tore his clothes, and raised derogatory slogans, sparking a fresh confrontation between supporters of both parties. Police intervened to bring the situation under control and prevent further escalation.
Munirathna strongly criticised the Congress leadership, particularly former MP D.K. Suresh and his elder brother, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. He alleged that Congress workers had been targeting him through planned personal attacks ever since D.K. Suresh lost the Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha election. These allegations could not be independently verified.
The Electoral Contest and Background Rivalries
The Bengaluru Teachers' Constituency election has seen a fiercely contested battle, with the BJP-JD(S) NDA alliance fielding candidate A.P. Ranganath against Congress nominee Puttanna. Heightened political tensions between workers of the two parties have marked the run-up to the poll.
Notably, the rivalry between Munirathna and the Shivakumar brothers in the Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Bengaluru Rural constituencies has a documented history of public confrontations. This is among the latest in a series of friction points that have made the constituencies a flashpoint in Karnataka's political landscape.
Investigation and Next Steps
Police are continuing their investigation into the complaint related to Friday's incident. Further legal action will depend on the findings of the probe into the alleged assault and the events surrounding the confrontation involving the BJP MLA.
Point of View
Personalised conflict in Bengaluru's western constituencies. The Munirathna-Shivakumar rivalry has repeatedly pulled local electoral contests into confrontation territory, and Friday's incident fits that pattern. What is worth watching is whether the FIR leads to substantive action or becomes another entry in a mutual grievance ledger — as past complaints in this rivalry have tended to. The fact that both sides are now trading assault allegations in the middle of an active poll raises questions about the Election Commission's ground-level enforcement.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was an FIR filed in connection with the Bengaluru Teachers' Constituency election?
An FIR was filed after BJP leader and former Corporator Govindaraju alleged that Congress workers assaulted him during polling at Ambedkar College near Nagarbhavi on 24 October 2025. Five individuals — Shekar, Velu Naikar, Mohan Kumar, Shasukumar, and G.K. Venkatesh alias NTR — have been named in the case.
What happened when BJP MLA Munirathna arrived at the clash site?
According to reports, Congress workers allegedly surrounded BJP MLA Munirathna, heckled him, tore his clothes, and raised derogatory slogans when he reached Ambedkar College. Police intervened to prevent further escalation; the allegations have not been independently verified.
Who are the candidates in the Bengaluru Teachers' Constituency election?
The BJP-JD(S) NDA alliance has fielded A.P. Ranganath, while the Congress has nominated Puttanna for the Bengaluru Teachers' Constituency of the Legislative Council.
What allegations did MLA Munirathna make against the Shivakumar brothers?
Munirathna alleged that Congress workers, acting under the influence of former MP D.K. Suresh and Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, had been carrying out planned personal attacks and physical assaults against him since D.K. Suresh lost the Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha election. These allegations could not be independently verified.
What is the background of political tensions in Rajarajeshwari Nagar?
The rivalry between Munirathna and the Shivakumar brothers across Rajarajeshwari Nagar and Bengaluru Rural constituencies has a history of public confrontations. Friday's clashes are among the latest incidents in an ongoing series of friction points that have made these constituencies a recurring flashpoint in Karnataka politics.
