<p>Noted cardiac surgeon Dr C N Manjunath, who is JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda’s son-in-law, has agreed to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections after senior leaders of the regional party convinced him on Monday to take the poll plunge. </p>.<p>Manjunath, who is credited with transforming the state-owned Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences that he headed for 17 years, is expected to contest from Bangalore Rural against Congress’ incumbent MP D K Suresh, brother of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. </p>.<p>The party on whose ticket Manjunath will contest - BJP or JD(S) - may be decided at a meeting attended by the saffron party’s national leaders on Tuesday or Wednesday.</p>.<p>That Manjunath must contest was decided at a meeting in the residence of JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy, a former chief minister. Senior JD(S) leaders from Ramanagara and Bangalore Rural were present. </p>.<p>In a statement, Kumaraswamy said he spent two hours on Sunday convincing Deve Gowda of the need to field Manjunath. Recently, Gowda had publicly advised Manjunath not to enter politics. </p>.<p>According to Kumaraswamy, his sister (Manjunath’s wife) is not happy with her husband entering politics.</p>.<p>“My sister is shedding tears, asking why they’re being dragged into politics and that they’re happy currently. But we must defeat our enemies. That’s my aim,” he said. </p>.<p>Kumaraswamy said it is the BJP that is particular about Manjunath. “I had proposed (BJP leader) C P Yogeshwar’s name as the NDA candidate. But Yogeshwar himself pitched for Manjunath. We need to respect the opinion of our alliance partner,” he said. </p>.<p>The JD(S) state president slammed Congress leaders for commenting on Dr Manjunath’s proposed candidature.</p>.<p>“Manjunath has earned popularity in the healthcare sector and has saved thousands of poor people’s lives. If such a person gets elected, he can serve the entire country. Congress leaders speaking lightly about him should know this,” he said.</p>.<p>According to JD(S) sources, Kumaraswamy may head to Delhi on Tuesday or Wednesday to finalise candidates and seat-sharing with the BJP.</p>
<p>Noted cardiac surgeon Dr C N Manjunath, who is JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda’s son-in-law, has agreed to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha elections after senior leaders of the regional party convinced him on Monday to take the poll plunge. </p>.<p>Manjunath, who is credited with transforming the state-owned Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences that he headed for 17 years, is expected to contest from Bangalore Rural against Congress’ incumbent MP D K Suresh, brother of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. </p>.<p>The party on whose ticket Manjunath will contest - BJP or JD(S) - may be decided at a meeting attended by the saffron party’s national leaders on Tuesday or Wednesday.</p>.<p>That Manjunath must contest was decided at a meeting in the residence of JD(S) state president H D Kumaraswamy, a former chief minister. Senior JD(S) leaders from Ramanagara and Bangalore Rural were present. </p>.<p>In a statement, Kumaraswamy said he spent two hours on Sunday convincing Deve Gowda of the need to field Manjunath. Recently, Gowda had publicly advised Manjunath not to enter politics. </p>.<p>According to Kumaraswamy, his sister (Manjunath’s wife) is not happy with her husband entering politics.</p>.<p>“My sister is shedding tears, asking why they’re being dragged into politics and that they’re happy currently. But we must defeat our enemies. That’s my aim,” he said. </p>.<p>Kumaraswamy said it is the BJP that is particular about Manjunath. “I had proposed (BJP leader) C P Yogeshwar’s name as the NDA candidate. But Yogeshwar himself pitched for Manjunath. We need to respect the opinion of our alliance partner,” he said. </p>.<p>The JD(S) state president slammed Congress leaders for commenting on Dr Manjunath’s proposed candidature.</p>.<p>“Manjunath has earned popularity in the healthcare sector and has saved thousands of poor people’s lives. If such a person gets elected, he can serve the entire country. Congress leaders speaking lightly about him should know this,” he said.</p>.<p>According to JD(S) sources, Kumaraswamy may head to Delhi on Tuesday or Wednesday to finalise candidates and seat-sharing with the BJP.</p>
