Bengaluru,(DHNS): The state Congress on Sunday expelled Bengaluru city youth Congress general secretary Mohammed Haris Nalapad from the party for six years for brutally assaulting a youth.

Mohammed Haris, who is the son of Congress MLA from Shantinagar N A Haris, reportedly assaulted a youth at a restaurant located in UB city on Saturday evening. The swift action by the Congress is seen as an effort to control damage to the party ahead of the Assembly polls.

"Atrocities in any form is not tolerated in @INCKarnataka. Legal actions have been taken against those responsible. The victim will be served justice," KPCC president G Parameshwara tweeted.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also quickly reacted to the incident and said that he had directed the police to take action as per the rule. "Offenders should be punished to the full extent of law regardless of who they are. No less, no more. @CPBlr will take action as per law and bring the guilty to book," he tweeted.

The BJP leaders condemned the attack and accused the Congress of trying to protect Mohammed Haris. "It (attack on the youth) is condemnable. Though the youth is brutally assaulted, the police have not booked attempt-to-murder case. The culprit is yet to be arrested," party leader R Ashoka said. The former deputy chief minister visited the victim at Mallya Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.

"I am appalled at and strongly condemn the ghastly attack by MLA N A Haris son on innocent Vidwath. @CPBlr Police must arrest the culprit and his goons to restore public confidence in the rule of law. Congress MLA must counsel his absconding son to surrender," state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa tweeted.