Ex-BJP MLA Raghupati Bhat turns rebel, to contest council election independently in Karnataka
Udupi (PTI): Striking a rebellious note, former BJP MLA from Udupi Raghupati Bhat has announced his decision to contest the upcoming MLC elections on June 3 as an independent candidate, representing the South-West Graduates' constituency.
Bhat has expressed his intent to stand as "a representative of party workers in the region".
He had been sulking ever since the BJP denied him a ticket in the 2023 Assembly election and fielded Yashpal Suvarna who won the election.
Bhat had turned emotional in public in 2023 when the BJP did not field him but announced supporting Suvarna.
The rebel BJP leader was expecting an MLC ticket for the Karantaka South West Graduates' constituency and had lobbied hard for it but the party decided to field Dr Dhananjaya Sarji.
Reflecting on his journey, Bhat on Monday highlighted his role in supporting the party candidate during the Assembly elections and securing a significant lead in votes.
The rebel leader expressed disappointment with the party's decision to award the MLC ticket to Dhananjay Sarji, a recent entrant to the party, over deserving senior candidates, including himself.
He was expecting support of 38,000 new voters who he claimed he had previously enrolled.
While reaffirming his allegiance to the BJP, Bhat clarified that his decision to contest independently stemmed from his commitment to the welfare of teachers and graduates.
He acknowledged assurances from senior BJP leaders regarding his candidature but remained resolute in his stance.
With nominations set to be filed on May 16, Bhat asserted that he would not retract his decision despite potential consequences.
Emphasising his respect for the BJP flag and expressing confidence in his victory, he reiterated his dedication to supporting the party even if successful as an independent candidate.
Bhat concluded by expressing hope for reconciliation with the BJP in future elections, affirming his identity as a BJP leader and commitment to serving the interests of his constituents.
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Accused gunman at correspondents' dinner was believed to be targeting top officials, Blanche says
Washington (AP): The accused gunman who tried to storm the ballroom at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner with guns and knives travelled across the country before the event and is believed to have been targeting members of the Trump administration, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday.
Blanche also said officials believe the suspect traveled by train from California to Chicago and then on to Washington, where in recent days he checked in as a guest to the hotel where one of Washington's glitziest events was being held Saturday night.
Investigators have not publicly named the suspect, but two law enforcement officials familiar with the matter have identified him to The Associated Press as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen of Torrance, California.
Law enforcement officials who have examined the gunman's electronic devices and his writings preliminarily believe he intended to target administration members in attendance at the dinner. He attempted to charge into the cavernous ballroom at the Washington Hilton but was tackled to the ground in a chaotic scene that resulted in shots being fired, President Donald Trump being hurried off the stage and guests ducking for cover beneath their tables.
“It does appear that he did in fact set out to target folks who work in the administration, likely including the president,” Blanche told NBC's “Meet the Press.”
The suspect is believed to have purchased the firearms he carried within the last couple of years, Blanche said. He is not being cooperative and is expected to face multiple charges on Monday.
Video posted by Trump showed the suspect running past security barricades as Secret Service agents ran toward him. One officer was shot in a bullet-resistant vest but was recovering, officials said. The gunman was taken into custody and was not injured, but was being evaluated at a hospital, police said.
“He failed,” Blanche said on CBS's “Face the Nation.” “Law enforcement did their jobs.”
Social media posts that appear to match the suspect show he is a highly educated tutor and amateur video game developer.
A May 2025 profile photo of Allen appears to match the appearance of the man in a photo of the alleged attacker being taken into custody that was posted Saturday night by Trump. The photo, posted to the social networking site LinkedIn, shows him in a cap and gown after graduating with a master's degree in computer science from California State University, Dominguez Hills.
Allen earned a bachelor's degree in 2017 in mechanical engineering from the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. He listed his involvement there in a Christian student fellowship and a campus group that battled with Nerf guns.
The shooting at the security barricades happened minutes after the event got underway.
The Secret Service and other authorities swarmed the room as guests ducked under tables by the hundreds. Gasps echoed through the ballroom as guests realized something was happening. Hundreds of journalists immediately got on phones to call in information.
“Out of the way, sir!” someone yelled. Others yelled to duck. From one corner, a “God Bless America” chant began as the president was escorted offstage. Outside the hotel, members of the National Guard and other authorities flooded the area as helicopters circled overhead.
After an initial attempt to resume the event, it was scrapped for the night and will be rescheduled.
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