Dakshina Kannada’s RSS strongman no more

NT Correspondent

Mangaluru: Urimajalu K Rama Bhat, senior leader of the BJP and former leader of Puttur, passed away at his residence on December 6, at the age of 92. He breathed his last at his residence in Kombettu, after suffering from age-related illnesses. Condolences poured in from BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spoke of the RSS veteran’s passing on Twitter.

Bhat was a dedicated worker of the RSS, beginning his association with the Sangh when he was still in high school. He laid the foundations of Hindutva in the Dakshina Kannada districts, creating a saffron stronghold. In 1958, he became the MLA of Puttur, the only Sangh Parivar leader in those days. He was a strong opponent of the Emergency and even spent time behind bars for protesting against it. In jail, he came in contact with Sangh leaders like L.K. Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The story goes that he taught Advani how to speak Kannada during their time in jail. It was Bhat who brought D.V. Sadananda Gowda into politics – the latter would go on to become the Chief Minister of Karnataka. He played a pivotal role in Gowda’s political development. He also supported another leader, V. Dhananjay Kumar, facilitating his entry into politics and helping him rise to the post of Union Minister. Bhat became detached from the BJP after Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat emerged as a leader in Dakshin Kannada. When another one of his protégés, Shakunthala Shetty, was denied a ticket to contest in the Assembly elections in 2008, he formed the Swabhimani Vedike and allowed her to contest. Bhat also openly questioned the selection of Nalin Kumar Kateel, who received the blessing of the BJP high command, to contest in the MP election 2009.

Bhat did eventually soften towards the BJP after Modi was elected PM.His health deteriorated over the last few months, due to age-related complications.