Police halt Bharat rice sale in Mullashery due to by-election

THRISSUR: Sale of Bharat rice has been abruptly halted by police due to ongoing by-elections in the area's panchayat in Mullashery, Thrissur. The distribution was stopped as it was deemed a violation of the electoral code of conduct with the 7th ward's by-election scheduled for this Thursday.

Bharat branded rice, part of a central scheme was being sold at Rs 29 per kg. The state-level distribution occurred in Thrissur on the 7th of the previous month coinciding with the national-level inauguration in Delhi.

Tensions escalated as the political debate over the rice distribution intensified. The CPM has accused the distribution of undermining the public distribution system and being a ploy to secure votes. The situation escalated further when an altercation broke out between BJP workers and the police amidst the controversy.