Political Meeting in Bidar Erupts in Chaos
A crucial Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting held at the zilla panchayat auditorium in Bidar on Monday was thrown into complete disarray following a heated and public confrontation between two political leaders. The altercation involved Humnabad's BJP MLA Siddu Patil and Congress MLC Bhimrao Patil, forcing authorities to eventually postpone the proceedings.
Verbal Spat Escalates to Physical Confrontation
The incident unfolded in the presence of senior officials including district minister and forest minister Eshwar Khandre, minister Raheem Khan, other local MLAs, and various government department officers. What began as a sharp verbal exchange quickly escalated. Both leaders were seen raising their voices, hurling abuses, and standing up from their seats.
The situation turned physically aggressive as they pulled at each other, creating what witnesses described as an ugly scene. It was only due to the timely intervention of police personnel and staff present at the venue that the clash was stopped from turning into a full-blown fistfight.
Allegation Over Loss-Making Layout Triggers Scuffle
The root of the tension appears to be a pointed allegation made by BJP MLA Siddu Patil. During the meeting, he drew the attention of district minister Eshwar Khandre to a loss-making layout project in Humnabad. Siddu Patil alleged that Congress MLC Bhimrao Patil was a partner in this venture.
This public accusation reportedly infuriated the Congress MLC, who then rushed towards Siddu Patil, leading to the immediate scuffle that required police to step in and separate them.
Aftermath: High Alert and Appeals for Peace
Following the commotion inside the auditorium, ministers Eshwar Khandre and Raheem Khan, along with deputy commissioner Shilpa Sharma and superintendent of police Pradeep Gunti, managed to bring the two leaders under control and calm the situation. However, the meeting could not continue and was postponed.
Outside the meeting, supporters of both leaders gathered outside their respective residences in Bidar, raising slogans against each other. The police responded by deploying heavy security at both houses and placing the city on high alert to prevent any escalation of trouble.
Speaking to the media afterward, Minister Eshwar Khandre made a strong appeal for peace. He stated that such personal rivalries should not be aired in public forums, emphasizing that the public is watching. He urged both leaders to focus on public interest and district development, assuring that such incidents should not happen again.
In a contrasting statement to the press, Bidar SP Pradeep Gunti said the situation was under control and denied reports of followers gathering outside the leaders' homes. He confirmed that adequate security had been provided at both residences as a precautionary measure.
