Flex Banner of BJP Leader Torched Amidst Tensions in Mandya Rally

Mandya, DHNS: On the night of August 7, miscreants set fire to a flex banner featuring BJP state general secretary and former MLA Preetham Gowda near Ummadahalli, Mandya. The incident occurred as part of the ‘Mysuru Chalo’ Padayatra organized by the BJP-JD(S) alliance, which commenced from Bengaluru to Mysuru, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the alleged MUDA scam.

The rally, which reached Mandya on August 7, had flex banners installed at the Mysuru-Bengaluru highway underpass to welcome the leaders. The vandalism was discovered on the morning of August 8.

The Padayatra began in Tubinakere on August 8 and is set to reach Srirangapatna by the evening. The rally includes hundreds of workers and leaders from both parties.

Tensions flared during the rally as BJP and JD(S) workers clashed over Preetham Gowda’s presence. Supporters of Gowda raised slogans in his favor, which led to opposition from JD(S) workers. A scuffle ensued, particularly with a large group of Gowda’s supporters from Hassan joining the rally. The situation was defused when party leaders intervened.