Congress, BJP workers clash when party candidates debate

JAMSHEDPUR: Congress and BJP supporters clashed here when their respective candidates were taking part in an open-air debate organised by a television channel, the police said today.

The programme was organised last night to hold a debate among the candidates of Jamshedpur East and Jamshedpur West assembly seats before the assembly polls.

Everything was going on smoothly with party candidates including Saryu Rai of BJP, Upendra Singh of JMM and Abhay Singh of Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) taking part in the discussion.

BJP and Congress supporters started raising slogans in support of their party candidates and Jharkhand Agriculture Minister Banna Gupta, who arrived at late, the police said.

The programme was disrupted when supporters engaged in a clash damaging chairs, podium and mikes. A handful of policemen on duty failed to control the crowd until the Superintendent of Police, Karthik S, reached the spot with adequate police personnel.

Rajesh Tomar, Jharkhand Head of the television channel said an FIR has been lodged as a costly chordless mike went missing following the incident.

The party candidates taking part in the debate were rescued unharmed by the supporters and police.