Udupi :  Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat had a tough time convincing his supporters who gathered outside his house on March 30, Saturday in order to pressurize him to contest the Assembly polls The supporters including councilors and panchayat members were shouting slogans and asking their leader to contest the elections either from the BJP or as an independent  and that they would support him fully in both the cases. However, Raghupathi Bhat told his loyalists that he cannot contest elections either way as  the BJP’s poll prospects may be affected.

He finally assured party men that he would decide after consulting senior leaders. He however did not forget to allege that the sex video was part of a conspiracy against him and to prevent him contest the elections as his opponents have no other tool to target against him other than the Malpe rave party issue and the case pertaining to the mysterious death of his wife.