BJP, Congress Workers Clash Outside Polling Booth During Manjalpur By-Election Voting

Tension prevailed outside a polling station at Panchsheel Vidyalaya during voting for the Manjalpur Assembly by-election on Wednesday after BJP and Congress workers allegedly clashed over claims of election campaigning near the booth.

As per local reports, BJP workers were present near the polling station wearing party scarves and beating drums as part of what they described as a voter awareness campaign. Congress workers objected, alleging that the activity amounted to a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

Protest Escalates, Turns Into Scuffle

The protest soon escalated into a heated argument, with workers from both parties confronting each other. The verbal altercation allegedly turned into a scuffle, resulting in physical clashes between supporters of the two parties.

Following the incident, the BJP alleged that Congress workers had assaulted its supporters and attempted to capture the polling booth.

The Congress, however, accused BJP workers of campaigning near the polling station by wearing party scarves and playing drums, alleging that the activity breached election norms.

Manjalpur Polling Turnout Rises to 14.27% by 12.30 pm

Polling in the by-election to Gujarat's Manjalpur Assembly constituency continued steadily on Thursday, with voter turnout reaching 14.27% by 12:30 p.m., according to data released by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Voting began in the morning under tight security across the Vadodara constituency, where 2,19,494 registered electors are eligible to decide the outcome of a direct contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress.

Earlier in the day, voter turnout stood at 6.06% at 10 a.m. The bypoll was necessitated by the death of veteran BJP MLA and former state Minister Yogesh Patel, who had represented the Manjalpur constituency for multiple terms.

Further details were awaited.