Udupi, 22 Oct 2026 – Former three‑time MLA K. Raghupathi Bhat announced on Thursday that he will definitely file a nomination for the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections, though he has not confirmed whether he will rejoin the Congress.
Bhat said he is now consulting his supporters and former party workers before finalising his decision. While he hinted at an independent candidature, he stressed that no formal preparations have begun. “When I won three times, the BJP and its workers stood with me. Today I am looking at an independent path,” he told reporters.
The leader recalled that he had previously promised to wait until Navaratri before taking a call, but the approaching election timetable has prompted an earlier start to his outreach. He added that a direct invitation from the BJP would simplify matters, noting that district‑level leaders have not approached him in recent months.
Bhat expressed frustration at what he termed neglect from the party hierarchy, saying district officials seem to view him as a Brahmin with no political value. He recounted his role in strengthening the BJP in the Brahmavar region, including efforts to attract Congress workers and his involvement when rumours surfaced about Sukumar Shetty possibly shifting to the Congress.
The former MLA also renewed criticism of sitting Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna, accusing him of personal attacks despite Bhat’s three victories on a BJP ticket. Bhat alleged that Suvarna opposed him during the 2004 election when Sudhakar Shetty contested as a BJP rebel, yet after winning, Bhat helped integrate Suvarna into the party as a nominated councillor.
Reflecting on his political journey, Bhat highlighted his contest against former minister Pramod Madhwaraj, a battle the party relied on him to win. He concluded by urging opponents to learn from his experiences, emphasizing that the political landscape in the region has evolved dramatically since 2023.
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📰 Source: Mangalore Today