Fri Sep 12 11:07:25 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, presented in a typical news format:
**Headline: Political Clash Erupts During Agricultural Cooperative Election in Karnataka**
**Belagavi, India – September 12, 2025** – Violence broke out between Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Kittur, Belagavi district, Karnataka, today during the election of directors for the primary agriculture cooperative (PAC) society. The incident occurred amid rising tensions and allegations of foul play.
The conflict reportedly ignited after rumors circulated that Congress workers were attempting to postpone the election due to their perceived minority status within the cooperative. BJP workers accused supporters of local MLA Babasaheb Patil (Congress) of attempting to kidnap R. Bhimappa, the society’s secretary, to obstruct the election process.
Eyewitness accounts state that when Mr. Bhimappa attempted to leave the PAC office in a vehicle, BJP workers intercepted the car, damaging its windows and forcibly removing him. This sparked a heated argument that quickly escalated into a physical altercation between the two factions.
BJP members are alleging police inaction contributed to the chaotic scene. Congress members, on the other hand, claim they were acting to protect the secretary, asserting he was being coerced into conducting the election in a manner favoring the BJP.
The outcome of the PAC director’s election carries significant weight, as it serves as a precursor to the upcoming election of members of the board of directors of the District Central Cooperative Bank (DCC). Directors nominated by each PAC are eligible to vote in the Belagavi DCC bank polls scheduled for September 19th, meaning a majority in their respective PACs.
Law enforcement eventually dispersed the crowd. However, PAC sources confirmed that the elections have been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date. The incident highlights the intense political maneuvering and high stakes involved in local cooperative elections in the region.
First Piper 