Pic: Altercation between BJP MLA Siddu Patil(in white) and Congress MLC Bhimrao Patil (wearing jacket)Bidar: A KDP meeting at the zilla panchayat auditorium in Bidar on Monday descended into chaos after a heated confrontation broke out between Humnabad BJP MLA Siddu Patil and Congress MLC Bhimrao Patil.The two leaders first engaged in a sharp verbal exchange that soon escalated into a near physical altercation in the presence of district minister and forest minister Eshwar Khandre, minister Raheem Khan, local MLAs, and officials from various govt departments. Both raised their voices, hurled abuses, stood up from their seats, and pulled at each other, creating an ugly scene. Police personnel and staff intervened in time, preventing the clash from turning into a fistfight.Tension flared after Siddu Patil drew district minister Khandre’s attention to a loss-making layout in Humnabad, in which Congress MLC Bhimrao Patil was allegedly a partner. This reportedly angered the MLC, who rushed towards Siddu Patil, leading to the scuffle before police stepped in.Later, minister Eshwar Khandre, deputy commissioner Shilpa Sharma, and superintendent of police Pradeep Gunti intervened, brought both leaders under control, and managed to calm the situation. However, due to the confusion and uproar, the meeting was eventually postponed.Following the incident, supporters of both leaders gathered outside their respective houses in Bidar, raising slogans against each other. Police deployed heavy security at both residences and placed the city on high alert to prevent further trouble.Speaking to the media, Khandre appealed to both leaders to maintain peace, stating that such personal rivalries should not be aired in public forums. He stressed that the public was watching and urged them to focus on public interest and district development, assuring that such incidents should not recur.Meanwhile, speaking to TOI, Bidar SP Pradeep Gunti said the situation was under control and denied reports of followers gathering outside the leaders’ homes. He added that adequate security had been provided at both residences.
