Udupi: Former MLA K. Raghupati Bhat has stated that he remains loyal to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and is prepared to respond if the party seeks his involvement. He revealed that he had obtained BJP membership through a missed call and left it to the party’s leadership to accept or decide on his participation.

Speaking to the media at his residence in Karamballi on Wednesday, Bhat announced that he would not contest the upcoming Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat elections. However, he confirmed his intent to contest the next Assembly elections, though he did not specify whether it would be as a BJP candidate or an independent. “The decision on this will be made in the future,” he added.

Addressing speculation about his political affiliations, Bhat clarified, “I have not made any decision to join another party. However, I am deeply disappointed by the behavior of the local MLA.”

“In Udupi, no MLA so far has resorted to politics of hatred. Even when I faced Congress leaders, our rivalry was purely political. While we had political disagreements, we never resorted to personal attacks or created problems for each other in professional dealings,” Bhat added.