CMC by-poll witness scuffle between BJD, Cong workers

Police resorted to lathi charge to quell clashing supporters of the ruling BJD and opposition Congress who engaged in a scuffle in front of a polling booth over allegations of distributing cash to win votes in Cuttack Municipal Corporation by-poll here today.
Brisk and peaceful polling was on in all the six booths of the ward since morning. However, in the afternoon supporters of BJD and Congress entered into verbal duels leading to the scuffle.
The situation in front of a booth at a school worsened with the two sides joining the scuffle forcing police to resort to the lathi charge to chase away the troublemakers.

In view of the prevailing tension, massive police deployment has been made in ward number 21 and particularly in and around Rajabagicha High School, where the EVMs are stored for counting of votes on Saturday morning.
"Voting in all the six booths of the ward were held peacefully without any interference and over 60 percent polling is recorded", informed the CMC returning officer and Cuttack ADM Laxmidhar Mohanty.
By-election to the civic body was held as the elected corporator Anita Behera, who went on to become the city mayor, was forced to quit her positions for her dubious role in the ration card row.