Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Dec 2: A scuffle reportedly broke out between Congress leaders during a felicitation event organised for newly elected Grama Panchayat members and workers at the Dakshina Kannada District Congress office.

The incident took place during a function to honour the winners of the recent Grama Panchayat by-elections. According to reports, a heated argument occurred between District Congress President Harish Kumar and former ZP member Prakash Chandra Shetty over the manner in which the winners were to be felicitated. This eventually escalated into a physical altercation.

Sources indicate that there has been simmering tension between party leaders for a few days, which finally erupted at the event. Among those present at the gathering were KPCC vice-president Manjunath Bhandari, former minister Ramanath Rai, MLC Ivan D'Souza, Mithun Rai, and Inayat Ali.

Prakash Chandra Shetty had suggested that the winners be felicitated on stage, but Harish Kumar disagreed, proposing that the winners be honored while seated. This disagreement led to a verbal altercation, which reportedly turned physical.

However, after the incident, Prakash Chandra Shetty downplayed the situation, stating that it was just a minor disagreement and that there were no serious issues. He clarified that the matter was resolved and that no physical altercation had taken place.