Belagavi: Tension erupts as MES workers protest against former Maha CM Ashoka Chauhan

Tension erupted in the Belgavi rural area as workers of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) staged a protest against former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chauhan, who had come to campaign for Congress MLA Lakshmi Hebbalkar.

The protest took place when Chauhan arrived to garland the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Benakanahalli village of Belgavi taluk.

The MES workers displayed a black flag and raised slogans against Chauhan, accusing him of hurting the sentiments of Marathi speakers by campaigning against MES candidates. They demanded that Belgavi should join Maharashtra.

In response to the protests, Chauhan announced that he would not campaign in the area and left the village.

A heavy police presence was arranged in the village to maintain law and order.