Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, June 2 (JD): Raghupathi Bhat, an independent candidate for the Southwest Graduates Constituency, has lodged a formal complaint with the electoral officer concerning a deceptive video clip making rounds on social media. The clip falsely asserts his withdrawal from the election, purportedly using footage from a private television channel.

Bhat asserted that his opponents, alarmed by his substantial support across the Southwest Graduates Constituency, have resorted to conspiracies against him. Over the past four to five days, they have been spreading defamatory content and false narratives on social media platforms, he said.

However, the situation escalated on the eve of the election when a counterfeit breaking news clip began circulating online, incorrectly indicating his withdrawal from the race. Upon consultation with reporters from the implicated channel, it was confirmed that no such news had been broadcast.

Expressing concern over the confusion sowed among voters by this misinformation, Bhat urged the electoral officer to swiftly identify and take legal action against the perpetrators responsible for disseminating the false news.