A BJP worker was killed and seven others were injured in a clash between the saffron party members and ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) members in Odisha's Ganjam district on Wednesday, police said on Thursday.

The clash took place over the issue of pasting posters and putting up party banners.

Police arrested eight people on Thursday in connection with the alleged violence.

The deceased has been identified as Dilip Kumar Pahan, 43. The incident took place at Srikrusnasaranpur village under Khalikote police station in Ganjam, about 130km from Bhubaneswar. The Khalikote Assembly constituency under the Aska Lok Sabha seat, will go to the polls on May 20.

The clash took place over the issue of putting up posters and banners. Dilip and other BJP workers were pasting posters of the party’s MLA candidate Purna Chandra Sethy at Srikrusnasaranpur village. However, the ruling BJD members opposed the move and asked them not to put up the posters. It led to a verbal argument. Later, the BJD workers attacked them with swords. The BJP workers retaliated. Dilip and other BJP workers were outnumbered by the BJD workers.

The BJP workers with grievous injuries were shifted to the MKCG Hospital, Berhampur, for treatment. Pahan succumbed to his injuries. Later, irate BJP workers gheraoed the Khalikote Assembly’s BJD candidate and sitting MLA Suryamani Baidya. They also ransacked several vehicles. Police forces have been mobilised to contain violence.