DK Suresh Faces Tough BJP-JD(S) Challenge in Bangalore Rural Constituency

The Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka is set to witness a high-stakes battle between DK Suresh of the Congress party and Dr. CN Manjunath of the BJP-JD(S) alliance in the upcoming election on April 26, 2024. The seat has been a Congress stronghold since 2013, with Suresh winning it in the 2013 by-elections, 2014 general polls, and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

However, the BJP-JD(S) alliance believes it has an electoral advantage this time due to their combined vote share in the 2019 elections. Dr. Manjunath, a respected cardiologist, is banking on the "appreciation factor" of his healthcare institute's patients in the constituency. He is confident of winning the seat, stating that the "calculations" are in favor of the BJP as the JD(S) was previously in an alliance with the Congress in 2019 but is now under the BJP's umbrella.

The Congress, led by Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, has gone all-out to ensure Suresh's third term as MP, even facing allegations of threatening voters. The contest is seen as a high-stakes battle between the two prominent Vokkaliga leaders.

Why this matters: The Bangalore Rural election outcome could have implications for the balance of power in Karnataka and the Lok Sabha. It is also a test of the BJP-JD(S) alliance's strength against the Congress in a key constituency.

The Bangalore Rural constituency had a total of 21,90,398 registered electors in 2014. It was formed in 2008 after delimitation and the first MP elected from this seat was HD Kumaraswamy of the JD(S) in 2009. The counting of votes is scheduled for June 4, 2024, which will decide the fate of DK Suresh and the Congress party's hold on this important Lok Sabha seat in Karnataka.

Key Takeaways

• Bangalore Rural LS seat to witness battle between Congress' DK Suresh and BJP-JD(S)'s CN Manjunath.
• Congress has held the seat since 2013, but BJP-JD(S) alliance believes it has electoral advantage.
• Manjunath banking on "appreciation factor" of his healthcare institute's patients in the constituency.
• Outcome could impact power balance in Karnataka and Lok Sabha, a test of BJP-JD(S) alliance.
• Counting scheduled for June 4, 2024, will decide Congress' hold on this important LS seat.