Vanathi Srinivasan, the BJP’s Coimbatore South assembly constituency candidate, was today attacked by hooligans in R.G. Street near R.S. Puram today. The party suspects that AIADMK was behind the attack.

Vanati was getting into her car, after attending a condolence meeting at a house near Jain Temple, when a group, armed with machete and iron rods, attacked the car, resulting in damage to the vehicle. Even as BJP workers, accompanying managed to protect Vanati, she sustained minor injuries on her hand, police said.

The attackers fled the spot before the police arrived. Vanati left the spot in another vehicle. Some of the BJP workers who sustained injuries were admitted to the Government Hospital.

Accusing the police of remaining mute spectators, the BJP leader has decided to lodge a complaint with the District Collector, who also is the Electoral Officer, and the Police Commissioner.

Meanwhile AIADMK cadres have also lodged a complaint with police claiming that BJP workers resorted to violence and had also beaten up party cadres.

In the complaint, AIADMK candidate, Amman Arjunan, said that the party workers objected to Vanati entering a prayer hall where a condolence meeting was held and had canvassed for the votes, police said.

The argument led to BJP workers attacking AIADMK activists, they said. Some AIADMK workers were injured in the attack, necessitating hospitalisation, party sources said.