Newskarnataka – Bantwal

Bantwal: A Congress convention organised at Kalladka considered a sensitive area, on March 25, Tuesday evening, was all of a sudden postponed for reasons unknown. However the postponement of the meet gave wings to rumours across the district creating some sort of tension.

Here it is worth recalling that the Samarasya Samavesh organised by the Panemangalore and Goltamajalu units of the Congress  at Kalladka on March 8 ended  in clashes between Congress and Sangh Parivar men. Several were arrested in this connection.

In developments later on, Congress leaders had announced that they would be holding another similar convention at Kalladka.  Though the belief was that the party was not granted permission for the same citing election code of conduct, arrangements had been made for another convention on Tuesday. The Congress had even sought the permission of the Election Commission.

Arrangements were made for the same until Monday night and a  land at Kalladka KC Road was also levelled. However, by Tuesday afternoon it was cancelled. Though Congress leaders told the  media that the convention has been cancelled owing to inevitable reasons, there is information that a traders delegation from Kalladka had met the Tahsildar the previous night stating that any convention would hit them hard as well as the  common people.

Moreover, it has also been gathered that senior party leaders had themselves not agreed for the convention and had also said they would not attend, ultimately leading to the cancellation.

Additional police security: In the wake of the Congress convention additional police forces including four KSRP battalions including the existing three were pressed into service. Over 150 police personnel were on security duty and even sniffer squad was pressed into service.

In the meantime, as per DC’s orders all wine and bar shops were asked to down shutters and some schools too  sent their children back home early.

The BJP has said the Congress could not get permission from the Election Commission.  However, Assistant Election officer said it was not the reason but Congress men themselves said they will be cancelling the convention.

Abbas Ali Bolantur, Panemangalore Block Congress President has said that the convention has been postponed owing to unavoidable reasons and the next date would be announced  within two days.

Bantwal DySP Rashi Paraddy said they got information from the Tahsildar’s office by afternoon that the  convention has been cancelled.