Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Oct 13: Former Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat has said that he has not yet taken a final decision on joining the Congress but has confirmed that he will contest the 2028 Assembly elections.

Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, Bhat acknowledged that he had received an invitation from the Congress and was considering the offer. He said he would consult his supporters and take their views into account before making a decision. He also said he was waiting to see whether the BJP would invite him back, adding that he would consider the option if such an invitation came.

Bhat said he had been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since childhood and had served as the district president of the BJP Yuva Morcha before becoming the BJP district president. Having also been elected MLA three times, he said he could not decide to switch parties overnight. He stressed that he would make any political decision only after securing the confidence of his supporters.

Expressing his disappointment over the developments surrounding the previous elections, Bhat said he was hurt after being denied a ticket to contest the Assembly elections. He alleged that he was subsequently assured a ticket for the Legislative Council elections but was ultimately denied the opportunity, leaving him feeling betrayed.

He also alleged that he had faced personal harassment from some MLAs belonging to his own party. What hurt him further, he said, was that neither senior RSS functionaries nor BJP leaders had reached out to speak to him during that period.

Bhat said former MLAs from other constituencies had been treated with respect, adding that he had not expected any special treatment but would have appreciated being approached with basic courtesy and respect.

Explaining his decision to contest the 2028 Assembly elections, Bhat said his past political experiences and pressure from his supporters had influenced his decision. According to him, people in his constituency believed that he had not been defeated by the electorate but had instead been denied an opportunity by his own party. He added that people had been urging him to contest the next election.

However, Bhat said he would reconsider his decision if people asked him not to contest and instead advised him to stay away from electoral politics. He added that even if he chose to quit electoral politics, he could continue helping people without necessarily holding an elected position, as there were other ways to serve the public.