Mandya Lok Sabha constituency, which was in the limelight all through the campaign owing to the high-profile contest and the slew of controversies, drew the attention on the polling day too, with group clashes as well as high voter enthusiasm. Mandya registered a turnout of 80.23% — the highest among the 14 constituencies that went to the polls on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, a polling booth agent of BJP-backed Independent Sumalatha, who is taking on JD(S) candidate and Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy’s son K. Nikhil, was injured after rival party workers allegedly assaulted him at Basavanapura in Malavalli taluk.
In another incident, the rival camps clashed at Doddarasinakere in Maddur taluk, where Ms. Sumalatha exercised her franchise. It is said that the clash took place when Mr. Nikhil’s roadshow was passing through that village when Ms. Sumalatha was interacting with her supporters after casting her vote. However, police intervened to pacify both the camps.
Similarly, a minor clash took place between BJP workers, who were supporting Ms. Sumalatha, and JD(S) workers at Hasahalli in Mandya town.