Karnataka: Polling sees slow start, clashes in Kolar

, May 5: Polling in the crucial

assembly elections began at 7 am on Sunday and will continue till 6 pm. Election was taking place in 223 seats with that in Periyapatna postponed till May 28 owing to the death of a

candidate.

The percentage of voters' turnaround in the state till 11 am was 19.5. The turnaround recorded in Bangalore during this time was 15 per cent while in Bangalore rural, it was 25.6 per cent.

Meanwhile, reports came in about Congress workers and supporters of Independent candidate and minister Varthur Prakash clashed in Kolar. It was reported that violence broke out at booth 122 after Congress supporters allegedly resorted to goondaism. Four corporators were arrested although one called Prasad Babu escaped. It was also alleged that Congress-backed goons were intimidating voters by brandishing weapons.

Ok ! CONgys are displaying their true character ! Intimidating voters by brandishing weapon . twitter.com/Vande_Mataram/… | Karnataka

— Pawan Durani (@PawanDurani) May 5, 2013

As many as 1.35 lakh police personnel have been deployed for the crucial elections. Both the national parties, the BJP and Congress, besides the JD(S) and B S Yeddyrappa's KJP have lockd horns to determine their fates before the important Lok Sabha polls scheduled next year.

OneIndia News