Sira registers 44%, RR Nagar 26.5% turnout

BENGALURU: The by-polls to twin seats in Karnataka saw voter turnout of 44.13 per cent in Sira constituency and 26.58 per cent in Rajarajeshwari Nagar assembly seat till 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

Voting in the by-polls to these seats in Karnataka commenced at 7 a.m. on Tuesday amid tight security and COVID pandemic fears and it will continue till 6 p.m.

Speaking to reporters, BJP candidate N. Muniratna said that there was not much difference between beggars and politicians. "In every election, we politicians too are at the mercy of the electorate, like beggars who live and thrive on the mercy of people," he said cryptically.

In RR Nagar at some places reports emerged of Congress and BJP workers exchanging heated words over attire. In one polling station in Nagarabhavi, Congress workers reportedly objected to BJP workers clad in saffron, alleging that they were trying to influence voters.

In response, the BJP workers retorted saying that the Election Commission had not imposed "model code of dressing" yet but they had imposed the Model Code of Conduct.

However, the rising acrimony between the party workers was calmed down with timely intervention by the police.

Congress party candidate H. Kusuma, prior to casting her vote, went to the Sri Adichunchangiri math in Vijaynagara, which is the cultural and spiritual centre of the politically dominant Vokkaliga community in Bengaluru.

She performed puja to the Vokkaliga community's deity Kalabhairaveshwara as per the "Nath" sub-sect traditions. (IANS)

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