BENGALURU: Renowned cardiologist Dr C N Manjunat was set to win the Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha seat against incumbent Congress MP D K Suresh Kumar with a margin of 2,68,094 votes. While Dr CN Manjunath received 10,75,553 votes, D K Suresh polled 8,07,459
Speaking to the media about his defeat, Suresh said, “People gave me a chance to serve them on three occasion. They gave me a break in the fourth term. I would like to thank the voters of the constituency through all my friends in the media. I welcome the voter’s decision and congratulate Dr Manjunath”.
“My special thanks to the party high command, the CM and all leaders. I have undertaken development work and been a voice for Kannadigas. Let them do good work for the state and the Assembly constituency.
DK Suresh promised party workers, “I have grown up with you, and I will be with you. Alliance strategy works in politics, and it worked here. Politics and political life are not indispensable for me. I welcome the fact that sometimes the media defeats and wins some leaders”.
Dr Manjunath, after winning with the majority votes, said, “I did not expect such a huge victory. The hard work of workers and leaders has paid off. I dedicate this victory to the workers of the constituency. Although people did not come close to me during the campaign, they secretly supported me. I am grateful to everyone. I will work to keep the trust of the people of the constituency”. Dr Manjunath also thanked the current and former MLAs and Council members of Bangalore Rural Constituency.
The BJP took a gamble and fielded Dr Manjunath in Bangalore Rural against D K Suresh, who he is a three-time MP and the former, who retired as director of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology and Research, is known for his social activities. The BJP also opted for fresh faces in some constituencies and the gambit paid off.
Earlier, there was speculations that Dr Manjunath may not be a suitable candidate to contest polls because of his background in the medical field. But public perceptions changed slightly during his campaign and he finally got the majority votes against D K Suresh, brother of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar.
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