Expelled ex-MLA Raghupathi Bhat poses questions to BJP’s disciplinary committee

Former BJP MLA questions party's disciplinary actions, criticizes leadership decisions, and vows to win elections as a rebel candidate.

K. Raghupathi Bhat, former BJP MLA, said on Sunday, May 26, that the party workers will “reply suitably” to the saffron party in the Legislative Council elections from South West Graduates’ Constituency for expelling him from the party.

At the same time, while reacting to his expulsion in Udupi he posed several questions to the State Disciplinary Committee of the party that expelled him.

The three-term MLA who is contesting as a rebel against Dhananjay Sarji of the BJP said that the committee should make it clear from which post he (Mr. Bhat) has been expelled as the party has not given him any position in the party now. “I am not even a member of the State executive and I am only a party worker,” he said.

Mr. Bhat said that the expulsion notice did not reach him and he came to know about it only through media reports.

Posing questions to the committee, Mr. Bhat asked which disciplinary action it took against those who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha election. “Did you (the committee) expel two MLAs who cross-voted? What action did you take against those who violated the Whip?” he asked. “Did you expel the MLAs who supported Congress in the Lok Sabha elections?” he asked.

What action did the committee take against insiders who worked against the party invisibly, he questioned.

“I am a poor party worker. Hence, you (the party) expelled me. I am not perturbed. I will win the elections,” he said.