BJP expels its former Udupi MLA K. Raghupathi Bhat for six years

BJP expels its former Udupi MLA K. Raghupathi Bhat for six years

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, May 26, 2024: On Saturday, the BJP expelled former Udupi MLA K. Raghupathi Bhat from the party for six years for contesting the Legislative Council election from the South-West Graduates’ constituency as a rebel candidate.

The party has nominated Dhananjaya Sarji, a doctor from Shivamogga, as its candidate for the constituency.

In his order, BJP State Disciplinary Committee president Lingaraja Patil stated that Mr. Bhat was expelled with immediate effect for violating party discipline. He noted that Mr. Bhat had embarrassed the party by running as a rebel candidate.

Mr. Bhat had served as the BJP’s in charge for the Shivamogga constituency during this year’s Lok Sabha election. He previously won from Udupi in the 2004, 2008, and 2018 elections. In the 2023 election, the BJP replaced Mr. Bhat with Yashpal Suvarna in Udupi. Mr. Bhat also served as the president of the Udupi district unit of the party.

Mr. Bhat criticized the BJP for fielding a junior candidate, Dr. Sarji, in the Legislative Council polls, alleging that seniors in the party were being sidelined. He pointed out that Dr. Sarji had joined the party only a year ago.

Mr. Bhat expressed anger over being replaced in Udupi without any consultation or prior notice. He claimed that state party leaders had promised to field him from the South-West Graduates’ constituency.

The former MLA also contended that the party had neglected the coastal belt, a BJP stronghold, in candidate selection for the Council polls. He highlighted that no local candidates from the coastal belt were fielded in either the graduates’ or the South-West Teachers’ constituency.