Mangaluru: As the Legislative Council election for the Southwest Graduates' constituency approaches, BJP leaders acknowledge an interesting contest due to the rebellion of former BJP MLA Raghupathi Bhat. Despite this, the party remains hopeful of securing the seat in the election scheduled for Monday.
Historically, the BJP has dominated the Southwest Graduates' and Southwest Teachers' constituencies for nearly four decades, with one seat typically represented by a candidate from the Coastal region and the other from the Malnad region. However, in the last election, BJP candidate Capt. Ganesh Karnik of Dakshina Kannada lost the Teachers' constituency to JD(S) candidate Bhoje Gowda. This time, as part of an alliance, the BJP has fielded JD(S) candidate Bhoje Gowda again for the Teachers' constituency, while BJP's Dr Dhananjay Siji is contesting for the Graduates' constituency. Notably, both candidates are not from the coastal belt.
Meanwhile, former BJP MLA from Udupi, Raghupathi Bhat, is running as a rebel candidate. Initially dismissed, Bhat has garnered significant internal support over time.
Sources indicate that Bhat’s supporters are primarily those opposed to BS Yediyurappa’s faction within the party.
“With senior leaders intervening, support for Bhat has waned. They visited the coastal region recently, urging local leaders to quell any rebellion and unify in support of the party,” a senior BJP leader, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Deccan Chronicle.
BJP leaders were concerned that any split in the party votes would help the Congress candidate.
"Bhat may gain a considerable number of votes in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, but his influence is limited in regions like Kodagu, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, and Davangere where Sirji is more active. The recent exit poll results predicted BJP's return to power at the center. We are confident that our candidate Sirji will emerge victorious due to various reasons" he added.
Despite this confidence, Bhat and his supporters remain optimistic about winning, with a substantial margin in the Coastal belt, bolstered by support from workers and leaders dissatisfied with the current BJP leadership in the state.
