Summary:
Many SDPI activists are among more than 200 arrested after the violence.
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The Karnataka government on Friday said that the local political rivalry is the reason behind August 11 violence in Bengaluru and not a communal disharmony.
It was local political rivalry linked to civic polls and not communal disharmony that led to the violence in Bengaluru in which three people lost their lives, the BJP government in Karnataka said.
The violence on Tuesday followed by an offensive Facebook post by the nephew of a Congress MLA.
However, the state government said the tussle for political space between the Congress and its ally Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) was the main trigger.
Many SDPI activists are among more than 200 arrested after the violence.
Deputy Chief Minister Ashwath Narayan also indicated that the government was looking at banning the SDPI, which is allegedly linked to the Popular Front of India (PFI), an Islamist group accused of extremist activities by the BJP.
Media Reports suggest the flare-up was linked to upcoming polls to the city`s civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike and alleged differences between local corporators and the Congress MLA, who was earlier in the Janata Dal Secular.
Also, the SDPI, say reports, has been trying to make inroads in the locality, which has a considerable Muslim population.Congress has rubbished allegations of its role in the violence.
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