The incident has created fear among the public as well as poll aspirants many of whom are planning to contest the by-election as independents.
Just two days after the notification for by-election to Banashankari Temple ward (No 180) which fell vacant after the murder of corporator Mohammed Ali alias Diwana Ali, a poll aspirant, Hajmal Mujeeb, was allegedly attacked by a rival gang.
Police said Mujeeb was beaten up by a gang at Sarbandepalya around 12.15 pm on Wednesday and taken in a black SUV to a hospital.
The incident has created fear among the public as well as poll aspirants many of whom are planning to contest the by-election as independents. With hardly four days left for the last date for filing the nominations, the police are on high alert to prevent any untoward incident.
The victim of Wednesday’s attack, Mujeeb had contested as an independent during the BBMP elections and lost. Later, he joined the BJP. According to local sources, Mujeeb has already started canvassing for the by-election by showing voters a letter allegedly written by home minister R Ashoka assuring him that power and water bills would be waived off if people in the ward voted for him.
While the BJP has almost finalised Basavaraj as their candidate, the JD(S) will be fielding the deceased Diwana Ali’s younger brother Mohammaed Akbar as their contestant.
“Rival party leaders are intimidating JD(S) workers. They want to divide JD(S) votes and win the election. They are also giving lakhs of rupees to JD(S) party workers to contest against me as an independent candidate. They even spread a rumour that my sister-in-law is contesting the election,” he said. Akbar said that being a witness of his brother’s murder, he had received threats from gangs.
“The police have provided me two gunmen after I made a request fearing for my life. I am confident that I will get the sympathy vote and win,” he said.
The entry of Ansar has warmed up the election scene.
Ansar is the nephew of reformed criminal Bachchan, who is a close associate of don-turned-social worker Agni Sridhar.
“The Congress has not finalised its candidate. While there are 10 to 15 names heard of poll aspirants pressuring the party to give them a ticket, it is the party high command which will take the final decision and everybody has to abide by it,” said SM Ayub, who contested against Diwana Ali and lost.
Potential Congress candidates are Banashankari block president Bakshi, former independent candidate Mani, Ansar, Bomman Babu and Siddalingegowda.
“Nobody came forward to contest the election against Diwana Ali. I took it as a challenge and contested and secured 5,000 votes. Now there is no fear of Deewana Ali and everybody wants to contest,” said Ayub.
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