A group clash erupted between two rival groups of the Congress in the presence of party State in-charge BK Hariprasad and PCC president Prasad Harichandan on Thursday during a party meeting here.
Sources said a section of Congress workers suddenly raised slogans while a constituency-wise panchayat members’ meeting of the party was underway at the Town Hall ahead of the panchayat polls.
Shouting that ticket seller Hariprasad go back, the protesters also showed placards at him and Harichandan.
Tension ran high as another section of Congress workers dragged the protesters out of the meeting place and severely thrashed them. Police later rushed to the spot and took away the protesters to the police station.
However, the PCC president said those who created the ruckus are not Congress workers. “The incident has not affected the meeting, which went on smoothly,” he added.
Among others, former Minister Jagannath Rout, Bhadrak district Congress Committee president Naren Palei, PCC spokesperson Sulochana Das, PCC treasurer Mohd Moqim and senior Congress leader Anant Sethi were present at the meeting.