I will definitely contest; I will start now: Raghupathi Bhat fumes with anger

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Oct 22, 2026: Former MLA K. Raghupathi Bhat has said he will definitely contest the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections, though he has not yet decided whether to join the Congress. He said he is consulting his supporters and former party workers before taking a final call.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Bhat said he was preparing to contest as an independent candidate, unlike his previous elections when he had the support of the BJP and its workers.

“I am not making any special preparations for the elections. When I was elected MLA three times, I had the party and its workers with me. Now, I am preparing as an independent candidate. I have not made any decision yet. Whatever decision I take, I will first seek the opinions of my supporters and workers. I have a large number of supporters,” he said.

Bhat said he had earlier indicated that he would not make a decision until Navaratri. However, with the elections approaching, he would begin the process of consulting supporters and deciding his political course.

“If the BJP invites me to return, there will be no need to seek the opinions of my supporters. There are people who have known me for 25 to 30 years. I have always been among the people. I grew in politics by associating with different organisations,” he said.

Expressing anger over what he described as neglect by BJP leaders, Bhat said even the party’s district leaders had not contacted him.

“If the BJP invites me back, I will return. My decision to contest in 2028 is certain. Forget the national and state leaders; even the BJP leaders in the district have not spoken to me. They seem to think that I am just a Brahmin who is of no use and that nothing can be achieved through me,” he said.

Bhat recalled his efforts to strengthen the BJP in the region, including bringing Congress workers into the party. He said that when there were reports that Sukumar Shetty might join the Congress, he and Sunil Kumar had approached him to discuss the matter.

Raghupathi Bhat Criticises Yashpal Suvarna

Bhat also renewed his criticism of Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna, accusing him of targeting him personally despite his three victories as a BJP candidate.

“The sitting MLA is saying ‘chi, thu’ about me. In the Kaup constituency, Lalaji Mendon gave up his ticket, and Suresh Shetty Gurme is showing him respect. But the MLA here is creating personal problems for me. BJP legislators are troubling someone who was elected an MLA on the party ticket three times. I was forced to stage a protest over the single-layout issue,” Bhat alleged.

He accused Suvarna of having worked against him during the 2004 election, when Sudhakar Shetty contested as a BJP rebel. Bhat said that after winning the election, he set aside their differences and helped bring Suvarna into the party as a nominated councillor.

“I have never practised vindictive politics or acted out of personal hatred. I have brought people who opposed me back into the BJP,” he said.

Recalling his political journey, Bhat said he had worked to strengthen the BJP in the Brahmavar region and had contested against Pramod Madhwaraj when the party needed him to do so.

He said the party had relied on him to defeat Madhwaraj, who was an MLA and minister at the time, and that he had fulfilled the responsibility.

“Everyone should learn a lesson from what has happened to me. Since Pramod Madhwaraj was also brought into the BJP, the situation by 2023 had become such that anyone could contest and win. The opposition should have been allowed to remain somewhat stronger. That was the mistake I made. Was strengthening the party my mistake?” he asked.

Bhat clarified that although he had agreed to Madhwaraj joining the BJP, he was not responsible for bringing him into the party.

He also recalled his victory in 2004, saying he had pledged to work towards ensuring that ordinary BJP workers could win elections. He said he had fulfilled that commitment in the 2023 election as well.

Says He Was Denied Opportunities in BJP

Bhat said the BJP could have offered him a position in the state executive committee, a Lok Sabha ticket or a seat in the Legislative Council before he decided to contest as a rebel.

“They could have made me a member of the state executive committee, given me a Lok Sabha ticket or nominated me to the Legislative Council. Only after none of this happened did I decide to contest as a rebel. How many times can a person tolerate being betrayed? I am not prepared to go around pleading with leaders or falling at their feet,” he said.

Recalls Being Asked Not to Contest in 2013

Recalling the 2013 Assembly elections, Bhat said he had been asked not to contest despite being the sitting MLA following allegations related to a CD.

“Ananth Kumar called me on behalf of the party and told me not to contest. I accepted the decision and personally sat beside him when Sudhakar Shetty was announced as the candidate. I even worked for his victory. I did not know who the woman in the CD was, and no complaint had been filed,” he said.

Bhat contrasted that experience with the 2023 election, saying he had believed until the last moment that he would be the BJP candidate. He said he learnt who had been selected only after seeing the announcement on television.

He also reiterated his earlier statement that he wanted the BJP flag to cover his body after his death, saying he had made the remark when he was a loyal party member.

“It is true that I once said the BJP flag should be placed over my body when I die. I still stand by that statement if the BJP invites me back. I said it at the time when I was a loyal member of the party. But I am no longer in the BJP now,” he said.

Bhat further claimed that no serious efforts were being made to bring rebel leaders Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and K.S. Eshwarappa back into the BJP, adding that he had personally spoken to them about the matter.

He also expressed the view that former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha and former Union minister Anant Kumar Hegde had been treated unfairly and should not have been denied party tickets.