Varanasi MLC Polls: Chaos Erupts as SP Leader and BJP Workers Clash
Tensions erupted in Varanasi during MLC elections as BJP workers accused SP leader Ashutosh Sinha of violating the Model Code of Conduct.
The Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council (MLC) elections took a dramatic turn in Varanasi on Friday, as a polling booth in Sadar Tehsil became the site of a heated confrontation. High tensions flared between supporters of the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leading to verbal spats and physical scuffles that disrupted the voting process.
The Spark: Allegations of Electioneering
The commotion began when incumbent Samajwadi Party MLC Ashutosh Sinha arrived at the polling center to cast his vote. According to reports, the situation escalated after Sinha had finished voting. Witnesses claim that the SP leader began approaching other voters within the polling station premises with folded hands, a gesture seen by opponents as an attempt to solicit support.
BJP workers present at the booth immediately reacted, alleging that Sinha's actions were a blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct. They argued that campaigning and electioneering inside the booth complex are strictly prohibited and that the SP leader was attempting to influence voters illegally.
Escalation and Scuffles
What started as a verbal disagreement quickly spiraled into a physical altercation. The two opposing factions engaged in a heated argument that eventually led to a scuffle, creating an atmosphere of chaos at the Sadar Tehsil polling station.
Protests Against Police Bias
The unrest did not stop with the political rivals; the anger soon shifted toward the law enforcement officers stationed at the site. BJP supporters staged a protest against the police administration, accusing the personnel of bias and "casteism."
The protesters alleged that the police deliberately turned a blind eye to the violation of election rules, allowing the SP leader to campaign openly despite the presence of security forces. This confrontation between the protesters and the police added another layer of volatility to the scene.
Restoring Order
As reports of the disturbance reached higher authorities, additional police forces were rushed to the location to contain the situation. Officers intervened to separate the warring factions and pacify the crowd.
After a period of intense unrest, the police managed to restore order at the center. Once the situation was under control, the voting process was allowed to resume and continue peacefully for the remaining candidates and voters.