The open campaign for Tuesday’s Lok Sabha elections ended in violence at Alathur when the supporters of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) clashed soon after the noisy finale.
UDF candidate Ramya Haridas, UDF MLA Anil Akkare, LDF MLA K.D. Prasannan and several other men, including a few policemen, were injured in stone throwing. They were admitted to different hospitals.
The clash erupted at 6.05 p.m., five minutes after the campaign’s raucous climax. UDF managers alleged that the LDF men prevented them from dispersing after the finale, and hurled stones at them without any provocation. However, the LDF denied the allegation and blamed the UDF for the violence. Several vehicles were damaged in stone throwing. The UDF men said they had no way but to counter when they were showered with stones. They alleged that the police did not prevent the LDF men.
The police had demarcated separate areas for different fronts to demonstrate their last-hour electioneering prowess. The police said they were about to heave a sigh of relief after the finale when the unexpected clash took place.
“The LDF has been in constant fear after the entry of Ms. Haridas. Today’s unprovoked attack from them was a reflection of that fear,” said P. Sarin, State research coordinator of the All India Congress Committee.
In Palakkad town, the campaign ended peacefully with the UDF, LDF and NDA displaying their might near the stadium bus-sand. The three fronts took to the streets with vehicles fitted with loudspeakers, bands playing cacophonous music, and frenzied supporters waving huge flags. The cacophony gave way to silence at 6 p.m..