India, Jan. 2 -- A ruling Congress worker was killed in a clash between supporters of two rival lawmakers in north Karnataka's Ballari. Police said Rajashekar, a supporter of Congress lawmaker Nara Bharath Reddy, died of a bullet injury on Thursday and that they were determining who fired at him.

A confrontation was earlier triggered after Congress workers tried to put up banners outside the residence of lawmaker and Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Gali Janardhan Reddy ahead of Valmiki Jayanti celebrations on January 3. Janardhan Reddy's supporters objected, escalating the dispute and drawing large crowds from both sides.

Police used force as stone-throwing also broke out. Prohibitory orders were issued as a precaution, a...