MANGALORE: A complaint and counter-complaint has been lodged at Bajpe police station after Congressmen alleged that supporters of Mangaluru North Janata Dal (Secular) candidate PA Mohidin Bawa assaulted them on Tuesday night.
Two Congressmen, Nizam and Hashar, who were injured in the encounter, have been admitted to a private hospital.

After Bawa was denied a Congress ticket, he recently switched to the JD(S).
Sources said the incident took place when Congress workers intercepted the JD(S) candidate’s car claiming that he was bringing money in the car to distribute to voters. This led to an argument between the two factions.

Later, both groups went to Bajpe police station, where Bawa’s supporters allegedly assaulted Nizam and Hasher in front of the candidate. The critically injured Nizam, who worked as Bawa’s car driver, recently pledged his support to Mangaluru North Congress candidate Inayat Ali.

The counter-complaint alleged that JD(S) members, Nizam and other Congressmen assaulted Bawa, who was undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Meanwhile, the police on Tuesday night arrested BJP Town Panchayat Vice President Jayananda Gowda, who was caught red-handed for distributing money to voters in Belthangadi.

Sources said Mr Gowda was arrested by former MLA and Congress leader Vasant Bangera at Kallakudu Colony in the taluk.