Congress and BJP Workers Clash at Kittur Cooperative Society

Quick Summary

• On September 12, 2025, Congress and BJP workers clashed during elections for directors of the Primary Agriculture Cooperative (PAC) society in Kittur, Belagavi district, Karnataka.
• Rumors alleged Congress workers tried to postpone the election as they were reportedly in the minority.
• BJP supporters claimed MLA Babasaheb Patil’s followers attempted to kidnap PAC Secretary R. Bhimappa to prevent polling on schedule.
• When Mr. Bhimappa attempted to leave the office by car, BJP members blocked his vehicle and damaged its windows. He was later pulled out and taken back to the office amid heated arguments and physical altercations.
• Congress members countered that they were rescuing Mr. bhimappa from alleged coercion by BJP supporters intent on swaying results in their favor.
• The police intervened to disperse crowds after violence broke out.
• The PAC director elections are critical for upcoming Belagavi District Central Cooperative Bank polls scheduled for September 19.
• Elections were postponed following this incident.

Indian Opinion Analysis

the violent confrontation between Congress and BJP supporters during PAC society elections highlights growing political tensions extending into grassroots level democratic processes within Karnataka. At stake is control over nominations influencing larger cooperative bank polls-a system tied closely with local governance structures.

Such incidents undermine confidence in electoral integrity and suggest systemic vulnerabilities where political allegiances may overpower fair procedures or security measures required to uphold them efficiently.

if left unchecked, deepening partisan violence could erode trust among communities reliant on cooperative banking systems vital for agricultural development-a key economic activity within districts like Belagavi.

Full resolution of this matter will likely depend on better enforcement mechanisms from law enforcement agencies combined with steps ensuring transparent electoral practices free of coercion or influence tactics frequently enough employed at such levels.

Read more: The Hindu