KOZHIKODE: The Congress has called for a hartal in Kozhikode district following conflicts arising from the Chevayur Co-operative Bank elections. The hartal, which has disrupted normal life, is set to continue until 6 PM today. Private buses are not operating and reports indicate that KSRTC has also suspended services. However, the Traders and Industry Coordinating Committee announced they would not support the hartal. Essential services have been exempted.

The elections held yesterday turned into a battleground, with multiple clashes reported throughout the day. Voting, which began at 8 AM, saw only 8,500 of the 35,000 eligible voters casting their ballots. Congress leaders have alleged large-scale irregularities, including over 5,000 instances of fake voting and interference by 1,000 CPM supporters who were not voters.

Prominent Congress leaders, including MK Raghavan MP, T Siddique MLA, DCC President Praveen Kumar, and KPCC General Secretary PM Niyaz, were on the ground during the violence. Several individuals, including Niyaz, were injured in the ensuing scuffles. Clashes erupted multiple times between the Congress and CPM factions, with notable injuries to KSU District President VP Suraj and CPM Kundamangalam Area Secretary P Shypu.

Despite the chaos, the election results were announced, marking a significant shift in the bank's administration. An alliance of CPM and Congress rebels secured all 11 seats, with four going to CPM and seven to the Congress rebel faction. G C Prashanthkumar, who spearheaded the alliance, was elected as the President, a position he has retained.