Former MLA withdraws dharna after Urban Authority issues temporary single site approval

Former Udupi MLA K. Raghupathi Bhat, who had launched an indefinite dharna in front of the Udupi Urban Development Authority (UUDA) office on Monday against the Authority’s alleged illegal refusal to grant single site approval for 1.1 acres of his land at Badanidiyur, ended his dharna on Tuesday.

Former Udupi MLA K. Raghupathi Bhat, who had launched an indefinite dharna in front of the Udupi Urban Development Authority (UUDA) office on Monday against the Authority’s alleged illegal refusal to grant single site approval for 1.1 acres of his land at Badanidiyur, ended his dharna on Tuesday.

The withdrawal came after the UUDA Commissioner J. Mahesh met Mr. Bhat at the dharna site and handed over the approval letter. The Commissioner reportedly told the former MLA that the temporary approval was being given after obtaining legal opinion.

Mr. Bhat had alleged that the approval was pending for over two years at the behest of incumbent Yashpal Suvarna, in-spite of the former complying with all norms. The former MLA, who was expelled from the BJP for six years in May, 2024 for contesting the Legislative Council election from the South-West Graduates’ constituency as a rebel candidate, accused Mr. Suvarna of threatening officials and obstructing his business.

After calling off the dharna, Mr. Bhat told reporters that he would continue the fight for the common man and asked Mr. Suvarna not to obstruct his business. The Authority, which should have given the approval within three months, has taken two years. He has followed the law and rules while applying for single site, the former MLA said.