COIMBATORE: Clashes broke out between DMK and BJP workers at a polling station at Gandhimanagar on Thursday. Clashes started after DMK workers intercepted BJP district president Ramesh Kumar and engaged in a verbal altercation with him.According to sources, Ramesh Kumar was visiting various polling stations in the city in an Election Commission-authorized vehicle to monitor the progress of voting. As he approached the government school polling station in Gandhimanagar, police allowed his vehicle into the restricted zone near the booth.However, a group of more than ten DMK members, led by a man identified as Manikandan, intercepted Kumar’s vehicle and aggressively questioned his presence, asking who had authorized his entry.The situation escalated when BJP leaders raised concerns about the police presence at the scene. Kumar expressed outrage that a hotel near the polling station was allowed to remain open and alleged that DMK workers were consuming alcohol in public view.Although BJP workers initially detained some of DMK members and handed them over to police, it was alleged that the officers allowed the suspects to escape shortly afterward.
