Lok Sabha Polls: Will Dr CN Manjunath be the BJP’s trump card against DK Suresh in Bengaluru Rural constituency?

Amidst the seat-sharing talks, it was JD(S) president HD Kumaraswamy who chalked out the plan to field Dr Manjunath in the Bengaluru Rural segment.

Dr Manjunath is also a son-in-law of JD(S) supremo and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda.

However, the key takeaway is the proposed plan of fielding Dr Manjunath under the BJP banner instead of the JD(S), even though BJP leader CP Yogeshwar is eyeing the seat.

Kumaraswamy and other JD(S) leaders, including Chamundeshwari MLA GT Devegowda and former minister Sa Ra Mahesh have chaired a meeting over taking a call on making Dr Manjunath contest from Bengaluru Rural recently.

“This (fielding Dr Manjunath) has also been discussed with the BJP high command. They have agreed to the proposal. However, the final decision will be taken by the BJP,” claimed JD(S) sources.

Also Read: JD(S) pushes for 4 seats in Karnataka as alliance negotiations intensify

Fight against DK Suresh

The move to field Dr Manjunath in the Bengaluru rural constituency is seen as the masterplan of the NDA to dethrone incumbent Congress MP DK Suresh, brother of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

After serving 17 years as the director of Jayadeva Hospital, Dr Manjunath retired from his service on 31 January, 2024. Ever since he retired, there have been rumours regarding his candidature in the Bengaluru Rural constituency.

To this effect, Kumaraswamy and other JD(S) top brass have been holding a series of meetings with party leaders and alliance partners.

Dr Manjunath, who was initially hesitant to make the electoral debut, is said to have agreed to take the plunge.

On anonymity, a JD(S) MLA told South First: “The party leaders have succeeded in convincing Dr Manjunath to try his luck in politics. The decision has been made after a series of meetings with the party leaders and local leaders.”

“Even the BJP leaders including Yogeshwar, who was an aspirant, have also been taken into confidence. The primary intention behind fielding Dr Manjunath is to defeat DK Suresh. The party leadership feels that he is the right candidate to face Suresh, considering his service in the health and social sector.”

“The final decision on fielding Dr Manjunath will be cleared by the BJP high command. He is likely to be the BJP face instead of the JD(S), which is also the decision of the party leadership. His name has been cleared from the shortlisted candidates list,” elaborated the JD(S) lawmaker.

Also Read: BJP distances itself from MP Anantkumar Hegde’s “will amend Constitution” remark

BJP gives nod

The leaders of the BJP’s Karnataka unit are said to have agreed to Dr Manjunath’s candidature from Bengaluru Rural seat for the 2024 Lok Sabha Polls.

JD(S) leaders have already chaired meetings with its state party leaders on the matter. Both parties are said to have discussed this proposal before the BJP high command in Delhi as well.

On anonymity, a senior BJP leader told South First: “It is true that the talks are underway to field Dr Manjunath as the party’s face in Bengaluru Rural seat. Even the high command is aware of this and yet to announce their final decision.”

“It is the party’s central leadership that wanted to field Dr Manjunath from Bengaluru Rural. They feel that he is the right candidate to take on Suresh, considering the caste factor as well.”

“The high command has surveyed all the seats and evaluated the party’s status as well. The official announcement is expected only when the candidates list is released. The central leadership might throw a few more surprises about the nominees in Karnataka,” added the BJP leader.

(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)