Bengaluru: BJP, JD(S) workers protest, say Byrathi Suresh distributed cash

Bengaluru: Hundreds of BJP and JD(S) workers protested at Lottegollahalli, where the repolling was held on Monday, alleging that Congress candidate Byrathi Suresh was distributing money to voters from an apartment near the polling booth.

The protesters raided the apartment and complained to the Election Commission after finding nothing at the apartment. The EC flying squad too raided the flat, but did not find money or goodies meant for voters.

JD(S) and BJP members later alleged that the money had already been distributed and staged a dharna in front of the apartment raising anti-Congress slogans.

A video, which was recorded by the EC flying squad during the raid, shows Byrathi Suresh eating breakfast at the apartment of Congress worker Vidya.

She later filed a police complaint against BJP worker Ravi and six others for forcibly entering her apartment. She stated that Byrathi Suresh had gone to her house for breakfast when the BJP workers barged in and searched the house, alleging that money meant for voters had been kept hidden in the apartment.

Meanwhile, a fight broke out between Congress and BJP supporters near the polling booth. BJP and JD(S) workers alleged that Congress workers assaulted them, manhandled a woman BJP worker and snapped her mangalsutra. The Sanjaynagar police rushed to the spot and dispersed the clashing mobs. The police said that none of the JD(S) or BJP workers had filed a complaint of assault or of distribution of money by Suresh.