Ballari, Karnataka, January 2, 2026 – A Congress party supporter was shot dead on Thursday following a violent clash with supporters of a rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker in north Karnataka’s Ballari district. The deceased, identified as Rajashekar, was a supporter of Congress MLA Nara Bharath Reddy, and police have confirmed that he died from a bullet injury. Authorities are currently investigating the source of the gunfire.

The incident reportedly occurred when Congress workers attempted to put up banners outside the residence of BJP lawmaker Gali Janardhan Reddy ahead of Valmiki Jayanti celebrations, scheduled for January 3. Supporters of Janardhan Reddy objected to the banners, which escalated into a confrontation drawing large crowds from both parties. Reports indicate that stone-throwing broke out, prompting police to use force to control the situation. As a precautionary measure, prohibitory orders were issued in parts of Ballari, and additional police personnel were deployed to maintain order.

In the aftermath of the violence, both sides accused each other of orchestrating the attack. Bharath Reddy blamed Janardhan Reddy for the killing, demanding immediate arrests and asserting that the BJP had deliberately attempted to sabotage the Valmiki Jayanti celebrations. “Ballari remained peaceful after the Congress government came to power in the state and after I became the MLA. We had planned a grand programme to install the Valmiki statue in the city. Janardhan Reddy created this disturbance and killed our activist to spoil the event,” he said.

On the other hand, Gali Janardhan Reddy accused Bharath Reddy, his father Nara Suryanarayana Reddy, and their associate Satish Reddy of planning the attack. He claimed that gunmen linked to Satish Reddy fired four to five rounds as he approached his residence. Janardhan Reddy alleged that the banner dispute was used as a pretext to incite unrest and intimidate him. “They staged this assault with the sole intention of finishing me off, using the banner issue as a cover,” he asserted, displaying bullet casings allegedly recovered from the scene.

The political rivalry between the Congress and BJP in Ballari has a history of tense interactions. Both parties accused the other of leveraging criminal elements to assert dominance and create unrest. The current incident has drawn attention not only for the loss of life but also for the potential escalation of political violence in the run-up to local and regional events.

Following the shooting, both Bharath Reddy and Janardhan Reddy rushed to the scene, accompanied by former minister and BJP leader B Sriramulu and Satish Reddy. Authorities have cordoned off the area for investigation and are working to prevent further clashes, amid fears of retaliatory violence.

The Ballari police are conducting inquiries, collecting evidence, and questioning witnesses to ascertain the exact circumstances of the shooting. The investigation will focus on identifying the gunman responsible for firing the fatal shot, as well as determining whether the clash was premeditated or escalated spontaneously from the banner dispute.

The incident has raised broader concerns about law and order in politically sensitive districts of Karnataka, particularly during festival periods and ceremonial events. Civil society groups and residents of Ballari have urged authorities to ensure that political rivalry does not endanger public safety.

Political analysts note that the clash could have repercussions for upcoming municipal and state-level events, especially in regions with a history of tense confrontations between local political factions. Both parties are likely to use the incident to reinforce narratives of victimhood and political aggression, potentially escalating tensions further.

In addition to the immediate policing and investigation efforts, the state administration is under pressure to maintain peace and order, while ensuring a fair and transparent inquiry into the shooting. Sources within the local administration confirmed that law enforcement has stepped up patrolling and is monitoring social media and local networks for any signs of retaliatory acts.

The Valmiki Jayanti celebrations, initially scheduled as a cultural and religious event, have now become the focal point of political controversy, highlighting the delicate balance between public events and local political rivalries. Authorities have urged organizers and political leaders to cooperate to prevent further incidents.

This tragic incident underscores the need for stricter enforcement of law and order during politically sensitive times, especially when rival factions are in close proximity during public events. Political parties are also being called upon to ensure their supporters do not resort to violence, and to respect the role of law enforcement agencies in maintaining public safety.

Police officials have indicated that forensic teams are being deployed to gather evidence from the scene, including ballistic analysis of the bullets recovered. Witness statements, CCTV footage, and social media postings will form part of the investigation. The authorities have assured the public that the perpetrators will be brought to justice and that the investigation is being conducted without political bias.

Meanwhile, local leaders from both parties have been urged to exercise restraint to prevent escalation. The state government has directed additional law enforcement resources to Ballari to monitor the situation and ensure that public safety is maintained.

As investigations continue, the death of Rajashekar has sparked widespread outrage and concern over political violence in Karnataka. Civil society organizations have called for stringent action to ensure that political differences do not lead to loss of life, and for mechanisms to be put in place to prevent similar incidents in the future.

This incident adds to a growing narrative about rising political tensions and violence in certain regions of India, highlighting the intersection of local politics, festival events, and the responsibility of law enforcement to safeguard citizens irrespective of political affiliations.

The Ballari police have confirmed that a detailed report will be submitted to higher authorities, and legal proceedings against those found responsible are expected to follow promptly. In the meantime, both Bharath Reddy and Janardhan Reddy have publicly called for peace while continuing to assert their respective versions of events.

The killing of a Congress worker over what initially appeared as a minor banner dispute has transformed into a serious political and law-and-order issue, raising questions about the preparedness of local authorities and the potential for escalation in politically charged environments. The outcome of the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings will likely have significant implications for inter-party relations and public safety in Ballari and surrounding regions.

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