Congress' Godfather culture has entered BJP, says Raghupati Bhat

Former BJP legislator and rebel candidate K Raghupati Bhat announced his decision to contest as independent candidate for the South West Graduates legislative council seat. He cited geographical injustice to the coastal region and discrepancies in the selection criteria of candidates by the BJP as reasons for his decision.

In a press conference held at Mangaluru, Bhat clarified that his intention is not to defeat anyone but to win and work as a voice for the issues faced in the constituency.

“If elected as a member of the Legislative Council, I will dedicate my full time to resolving the problems within the constituencies and do justice to the position. I have not betrayed the party; I am contesting out of disappointment and hurt over not receiving the party ticket,” he stated.

Expressing his frustration with the current candidate selection process, Bhat said, “Previously, candidates’ names were gathered from the booth level, discussed at the Mandal level, and finally one name was sent from the district to the state and then to the center. Now, names sent from the state are being changed at the center. The ‘Godfather’ culture of the Congress has now infiltrated the BJP.”