Udupi: BJP men plead Raghupathi Bhat to contest polls

Udupi: BJP men plead Raghupathi Bhat to contest polls

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Mar 30, 2013  :  Hundreds of supporters of Raghupathi Bhat, the Udupi MLA  who is caught in a sleaze video row, gathered  in front of his residence in the town on March 30 in order to persuade him to contest the ensuing Assembly elections.

Those who gathered included BJP men and members of Udupi CMC and  other gram panchayats. They made a vehement demand that they would support the MLA if he contested. Some even asked the MLA to contest as an independent, in case he feels it would  affect the BJP’s prospects if he contested from the party.

However, Bhat politely turned down all the pleas and said he cannot contest the elections at any cost. He  said there was a conspiracy behind the sleaze video and that his enemies realizing that they had nothing significant to target him excluding the Malpe rave party and the mysterious death of his wife, had chosen  a foul way to tarnish his image well before the elections.

He said it would be against the ethics of the party for him to contest the assembly polls and added the party’s prospects may be affected even in case he decides to contest as independent.

Later, Bhat somehow convinced his loyalists stating he would decide after consulting senior party leaders. Party men were seen raising  slogans in support of the MLA.