Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)
Udupi, May 30: "If I had not contested this election, I would have walked away from the electoral polls. I have a few years more left in me to serve the people. I worked for the victory of BJP candidate Yashpal Suvarna in the last Assembly election," asserted Raghupathi Bhat, independent candidate for the southwest graduate constituency.
"I sacrificed my life, business, and everything for building the party. There is a need for me to contest these elections to represent the issues faced by this region.
"There was no need to expel the four office-bearers who are supporting me. In the 2004 elections, Sudhakar Shetty contested as an independent candidate, and the present MLA Yashpal Suvarna took the lead and worked against me. I never expelled anyone who worked against me. You should build the party and not expel. Two MLAs who voted against the party candidate in Rajya Sabha elections have not been expelled. I will bring back all those expelled office-bearers and will give them proper positions in the party," he said.
Raghupathi Bhat further added, "I will be the voice of Udupi people, especially and the entire southwest graduates' constituency. My political career began in Udupi, and I am receiving immense support from the people. Along with Udupi and Mangaluru, graduates from other parts of the constituency are also extending their immense support to me. The voters have understood that they want me to be a member of the legislative council. The result of my 15-20 years of political career is what I am witnessing today."
The event saw the presence of Shivaram Udupa, Convener Upendra Nayak, Mahesh Thakoor, Roshan Shetty, and Junaid.