Udupi: Former Udupi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA K. Raghupati Bhat has confirmed that he intends to contest the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections, while leaving open the possibility of joining the Congress.
Bhat said he had received an invitation from the Congress but had not made a final decision on whether to join the party. He indicated that he would consult his supporters before deciding his political future. He is also waiting to see whether the BJP leadership will invite him back.
Congress invitation yet to be accepted
Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, Bhat acknowledged that the Congress had approached him. However, he made it clear that an invitation did not mean he had decided to switch parties.
Bhat said he would consider the views of his supporters before making a final decision. He also indicated that he would consider returning to the BJP if the party invited him back.
His next political move comes amid questions over his future following his differences with the BJP leadership and the party’s decision not to give him a ticket in the previous Assembly election.
Bhat recalls long association with BJP
Bhat highlighted his long association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the BJP, saying he had been connected with the organisation since childhood. He served in the BJP Yuva Morcha and later became the party’s district president in Udupi.
He was elected MLA from Udupi three times on a BJP ticket. The party fielded Yashpal Suvarna from the constituency in the 2023 Assembly election, ending Bhat’s run as the sitting legislator.
Bhat said his longstanding association with the party made it difficult to take a decision about switching political affiliations overnight.
Disappointment over election tickets
Bhat expressed disappointment over the BJP leadership’s decision to deny him a ticket for the Assembly election. He also alleged that he had subsequently been assured an opportunity to contest the Legislative Council election, but that opportunity did not materialise.
He further alleged that he had faced personal harassment from some legislators belonging to his own party. Bhat said the lack of communication from senior BJP and RSS leaders had added to his disappointment.
These are Bhat’s allegations and account of his experience with the party leadership.
Plans to contest the 2028 Assembly election
Bhat said he intends to contest the 2028 Assembly election, citing encouragement from supporters who want him to return to electoral politics. According to him, some supporters believe he was denied an opportunity by his party rather than rejected by voters.
However, he said he would reconsider contesting if people advised him to stay away from electoral politics. He also noted that public service could continue even without holding an elected position.
For now, Bhat’s party affiliation remains undecided. His next move will depend on consultations with supporters and whether there is any further communication from the BJP leadership.