Udupi: The door is wide open if Pramod Madhwaraj intends to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). When he joins BJP, I will warmly welcome him, said BJP MLA Raghupathi Bhat.
Speaking to media persons at Udupi Press Club here on Friday February 18, Raghupathi Bhat said that we would be happy if another party leader joins BJP as our party will become stronger. I never opposed any party leader joining the BJP. Whoever it may be, if anyone agrees with the party principle, we will welcome them to the party, he said.
Bhat said that during the legislative elections in 2018, I obviously opposed Pramod Madhwaraj joining the party. As one of the applicant to contest the election, it would be natural that I opposed him joining the party. Even though there was no objection of him joining the party from my side, I opposed him contesting the election in 2018 under the BJP ticket which I was supposed to contest, he said.
To the query of mediapersons, Raghupathi Bhat said that it will be common to every legislator who is looking to strengthen their foundation. However, it is my opinion that Pramod Madhwaraj should work for the party atleast two to three years. Later, he can ask to contest in BJP ticket or he can ask any official post, he added.
