Thu Nov 21 01:23:47 UTC 2024: ## Palakkad Bypoll: BJP President Skips Voting Amidst Congress Protest, Clashes Reported

**Palakkad, Kerala:** The Palakkad by-election concluded at 6 PM today, with voting percentage nearing 70%, higher than the 74% recorded in the previous election. However, the day was marked by political tension and minor clashes.

K.M. Haridas, the BJP district president embroiled in a double voting controversy, did not cast his vote. He attributed his absence to a closed polling booth gate upon his arrival, claiming it was a strategic move to avoid conflict orchestrated by Congress workers led by MP V.K. Sreekantan. Congress leader M.B. Rajesh had earlier threatened to prevent Haridas from voting. Haridas denied any intention of conflict, stating the BJP aimed for a peaceful election and that no one, even a booth president, could be stopped from voting.

Meanwhile, a clash erupted at Vennakara booth when BJP workers allegedly prevented UDF candidate Rahul Mankuttil from voting, accusing him of soliciting votes within the booth. A brief period of tension and verbal altercation followed, before police intervened and de-escalated the situation.

Polling officials ensured all voters in line before 6 PM received tokens guaranteeing their right to vote. Around 40.76% of the 184 polling booths concluded voting by 6 PM, with Palakkad municipality recording the highest voter turnout and Kannadi grama panchayat the lowest. Ten candidates, including those from UDF, LDF, and NDA, contested the by-election.

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