Poor voter turnout, a fight mar Binnypet BBMP by-poll

Bengaluru: Except for a verbal duel between workers of JD(S) and Congress, the by-election to the Binnypet ward (number 121) went on smoothly on Monday. The election to the ward falling under the Govindaraja Nagar assembly constituency was necessitated by the death of corporator Mahadevamma Nagaraj in January. Though industries in Binnypet had declared a holiday on Monday, the ward had recorded only 26.47 per cent polling till 3 pm.
Srividya Shashikumar from the Congress, Chamundeshwari from the BJP and Aishwarya B.N. from the JD(S) are in the fray.

Aishwarya, daughter of deceased corporator Mahadevamma, was picked by the JD(S) after she was denied a ticket by the Congress. After casting her vote along with her family at S.M. English School, she said that she is banking on the good work of her mother. She was confident that the people would bless her. Congress candidate Srividya couldn't cast her vote as she is a resident of Kempapura Agrahara ward (No. 122). Votes will be counted on Wednesday at the Home Science College. 

JD(S), Cong workers clash
A fight broke out between Congress and JD(S) workers,  at Binnypet ward under the Govindaraja Nagar assembly constituency, where a by-election was held on Monday. The fracas scared residents, who refused to vote.

The fight started after am allegation that JD(S) candidate Aishwaya's father Nagaraj assaulted a Congressman, Sudhakar. Around 11 pm on Sunday, JD(S) workers allegedly assaulted Sudhakar, a close aide of Shashikumar – Congress candidate Srividya’s husband, for allegedly bribing voters. Sudhakar filed a complaint at K.P. Agrahara police station against JD(S) workers, alleging assault with iron rods and canes. He has been admitted to a private hospital with injuries on his right eye and left ear. Police said the fight broke out on  Monday morning with both alleging that the money was being distributed to voters. As the fight escalated, the police rushed to the spot and dispersed the crowd.