Cong workers go on rampage

Gulbarga, Karnataka, Apr 23 (UNI) Fifteen people were arrested when irate followers of Congress Shivashekarappa Shirwal today torched a KSRTC bus and damaged other vehicles to protest the denial of Shahpur ticket to him.

Police said more than 200 supporters started pelting stones at the bus and set it on fire. Fire tenders arrived at the spot and extinguished the flames.

Police resorted to mild lathi charge to bring the situation under control.

Mr Shirwal, the three-time MLA from Shahpur, is sore that the Congress decided to give the ticket to Former JD(S) Minister Sharanabasappa Darshanapur who had in fact defeated him in the 2004 elections.

Mr Darshanapur had joined the Congress along with the M P Prakash Group which deserted the JD(S).

Tense situation prevailed in the town as party workers demonstrated on the main road raising slogans against the party leaders.

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