Dahod

Police fired 12 teargas shells to control the situation after supporters of Congress and BJP clashed and set on fire vehicles after the election of president of Dahod district panchayat here was postponed today.

The newly-elected panchayat members met today to elect the president, but the election was postponed after both the parties made claims and counter-claims.

Later, the party workers from both the sides got into heated exchanges and indulged in stone-pelting and rioting.

The election was to take place at the district collector’s office on the outskirts of Dahod town.

Two cars and a bus were set on fire, Dahod SP Mayanksinh Chavda said.

“Police rushed to the spot and fired 12 teargas shells to bring the situation under control,” Chavda said, adding the situation was now under control.

In the elections held on November 29, Congress won 26 and BJP won 24 seats at Dahod district panchayat.

“We have emerged victorious in Dahod district panchayat, but under the influence of BJP government, district election officers postponed the proceedings and not allowed the election for the president,” State Congress chief Bharatsinh Solanki alleged.

BJP leaders were not available for comments. PTI

DeshGujarat adds:

– In Dahod district panchayat, Congress had got 26 while BJP had got 24 seats out of total 50 seats in elections held early this month.

– As the majority was thin, switch over of only one or two elected members could give power to BJP. Congress party had therefore taken its all elected members to tour in luxury bus a few days ago. Arrangement for their stay was done at a farm house, away from Dahod.

– This luxury bus arrived in the campus of district panchayat headquarters just before the election for the posts of president and vice president.

– In meeting held for election, BJP members complained that some members brought by Congress party were actually not elected members and they were fake. BJP members created ruckus and even damaged furniture. They threw water bottles.

-District Collector postponed the election for the post of president and vice president of district panchayat after rucus and made announcement that election will be held on December 23.

– While BJP members left the hall, Congress members continued to sit inside.

– One Congress member Rameshbhai Chhaganbhai Pardhi was ill and therefore brought in ambulance. He was taken to hall in stretcher.

– A luxury bus that had carried Congress members directly from a tour came to district panchayat compound to carry the members back to an unidentified place. The bus was attacked with stones and set on fire. All luggage of Congress member also destroyed with fire in bus. A power cable line above the bus also was caught in fire and power supply went down therefore.

– Police had to lob 8-10 tear gas shells to control the mob.

– Firing was reported during this time.

– Two cars of BJP members were set on fire by Congress supporters.

– Heavy stone pelting from both sides(BJP and Congress) was controlled by extra force called there.