Karnataka BJP MLA who was 'hurt' over ticket denial supports official candidate

Mangaluru: Udupi MLA Raghuapti Bhat who expressed disappointment at having been not in the list of candidates for Karnataka polls, on Thursday declared support to the official candidate: Yashpal Suvarna.

Bringing relief to the BJP camp, he held a press conference in Udupi flanked by Suvarna and declared that he will campaign for the new candidate till his 'certain win' in the elections.

"I will be in the company of Yashpal Suvarna at every stage till the elections," he said and added that all the party workers, including his well-wishers will rally behind the official candidate.

Bhat said he spoke a few words on Wednesday as he felt sad about the omission from the party list. "We feel sad when our parents scold us, and we scold them back. We later sleep in their company," he said.

Bhat said his well-wishers are also the well-wishers of BJP and asked his followers to stop discussions about the candidature on social media.

He said senior BJP leader B S Yediyurappa called him and said he has a bright future in the party. There is nothing more to discuss with Chief Minister Bommai. "There is no trouble and hence there is no need for a trouble-shooter," he said.

He thanked the BJP for giving him opportunity to contest the Udupi seat thrice and said there is no room for disappointment.

BJP's official candidate Yashpal Suvarna said he will strive to carry forward the development works executed by Bhat in Udupi.

PTI with superficial edits