On the first day of 2026, Thursday brought tragic news from Karnataka. A dispute between Congress and BJP workers in Ballari, initially over the placement of a poster, quickly escalated into violent clashes.
Bengaluru: The violence that erupted in Ballari district of Karnataka has shaken the state's politics and law and order. A dispute between Congress and BJP workers on the very first day of the New Year 2026 turned into a violent clash, resulting in the death of a Congress worker. Following this serious incident, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah took a major administrative step, suspending Ballari's District Police Superintendent (SP) Pawan Nijjur.
The Chief Minister clarified that the SP was not present at the scene during the violence, which was considered a serious lapse. Action was taken against him on this basis.
How did the Ballari violence begin?
The dispute is centered around Valmiki Circle in Ballari city, where a statue of Maharishi Valmiki is installed. The inauguration of the statue was scheduled for Saturday. Congress party had put up posters throughout the city in connection with this occasion. It is reported that supporters of Ballari Congress MLA Nara Bharat Reddy reached the residence of Gangavathi BJP MLA and former minister Janardhan Reddy while putting up posters. An argument started between the two sides regarding the placement of the posters, which soon turned violent.
According to eyewitnesses, supporters of both parties took to the streets with sticks. Stones, bricks, and bottles were thrown at each other. The situation worsened when several rounds of firing took place. During this, a Congress worker named Rajasekhar was killed by a gunshot. Rajasekhar was part of the team that was putting up posters outside Janardhan Reddy's house. Panic spread in the area after the incident, and a large police force was deployed.
Janardhan Reddy's Allegation: “A Plot to Kill Me”
BJP MLA Janardhan Reddy has made serious allegations regarding the incident. He claimed that Congress MLA Nara Bharat Reddy, his close associate Satish Reddy, and Nara Suryanarayan Reddy conspired to kill him. According to Janardhan Reddy, as I was getting out of my car, armed men started firing at me. I barely managed to escape.
Following these allegations, the political atmosphere has become even more tense. Police have so far registered four separate cases in this matter and have named a total of 11 people, including Janardhan Reddy. Police officials say that it is a matter of investigation who started the dispute, who fired, and who is responsible for it.
Why was SP Pawan Nijjur Suspended?
Ballari SP Pawan Nijjur had taken charge of the district only on Thursday evening, and the violent incident occurred that same evening. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the SP's absence from the scene in such sensitive circumstances is a serious administrative lapse. The CM stated, “I have suspended the SP of Ballari because he was not present at the spot. I do not want to respond to the BJP on this issue.”
