The confrontation occurred ahead of a Valmiki statue unveiling programme scheduled to be held in the city on 3 January.
Published Jan 02, 2026 | 9:32 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 02, 2026 | 9:32 AM
The confrontation began with supporters of Bharath Reddy attempting to install banners in front of Janardhana Reddy’s residence.
Synopsis: Clashes erupted in Ballari between supporters of BJP MLA G Janardhana Reddy and Congress MLA Bharath Reddy over the installation of banners. While police are yet to confirm any casualties, reports said that one Congress activist was killed in the firing during the clash.
Clashes erupted in Ballari in Karnataka on Thursday,1 January, between supporters of BJP MLA G Janardhana Reddy and Congress MLA Bharath Reddy over the installation of banners.
While police are yet to confirm any casualties, reports said that one Congress activist was killed in the firing during the clash. The confrontation occurred ahead of a Valmiki statue unveiling programme scheduled to be held in the city on 3 January.
According to police, the confrontation began with supporters of Bharath Reddy attempting to install banners in front of Janardhana Reddy’s residence in the Avambhavi area, which was opposed by the latter’s supporters.
The verbal altercation soon escalated into a physical clash, with supporters from both sides allegedly resorting to stone-pelting. Police had to resort to a lathi charge to disperse the crowd and restore law and order.
Speaking to reporters later, Janardhana Reddy alleged that a conspiracy was hatched to murder him by Bharath Reddy, his close aide Satish Reddy, and Bharath Reddy’s father, Nara Suryanarayana Reddy.
He claimed that gunmen opened fire in front of his residence on the pretext of a dispute over a banner.
Bharath Reddy alleged that Janardhana Reddy created the disturbance to spoil the event.
“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. Janardhana Reddy created this disturbance and killed our activist to spoil the event. He and his party, the BJP, which has been doing politics in the name of Valmiki for decades, have now turned anti-Valmiki,” Bharath Reddy alleged.
According to reports, neither the leaders were there at the time of the clash and arrived there after receiving the news.
(With inputs from Anisha Reddy.)
