Belagavi police have registered an attempt to murder case against Congress worker Tousif Phaniband, vice-president of Marihal gram panchayat.
He tried to kill another Congress worker from the village, Asif Hussein Mulla, who was attending a cremation on Thursday night.
Tousif attacked Mulla with a dagger from behind. When Mulla tried to escape by pushing away the weapon, three fingers of his left hand were cut off. He has been admitted to the district hospital.
Tousif is absconding. A case has been registered in Marihal police station.
Tousif is known to be a follower of MLA Lakshmi Hebbalkar while Mulla is known supporter of the Jarkiholi brothers. MLA Satish Jarkiholi visited Mulla in the hospital at night.
Police Commissioner D.C. Rajappa said the attack was the result of personal rivalry.
Mr. Satish Jarkiholi also denied any political motive. “The attack was for personal reasons. These two persons have fought in the past also. The accused being a follower of Ms. Lakshmi Hebbalkar and the victim being my follower does not mean it is a political fight,” he told presspersons at his house.