'Dr Manjunath, Why Did You Enter Politics?': Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar Slams BJP's Bengaluru Rural Candidate

National Award-winning filmmaker Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar has slammed noted cardiac surgeon Dr Manjunath, the BJP's candidate from the Bengaluru Rural constituency, for foraying into politics.

In a post shared on X, the 'America America' director has criticised his decision and questioned him whether he needed to enter politics to serve the society.

He wrote, "It is unfortunate that Dr CN Manjunath entered politics. Whatever be the reason. What you have earned here can be lost there. Which fool said that politics is the only way to serve the people? There are a thousand ways to build the society. Manjunath, do you want this?"

The BJP has given a ticket to Dr Manjunath who will be taking on DK Suresh in Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha constituency.

Manjunath headed the state-owned Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research for 17 years before retiring in January this year.

The noted cardiac surgeon is the son-in-law of former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.

BJP and JDS are in an alliance in Karnataka and, JDS is likely to contest in three seats - Mandya, Hassan and Kolar, and also an agreement has been reached between the two parties regarding fielding Manjunath on the BJP symbol.

However, the Kannada filmmaker's remarks have met with a lot of opposition from a section of netizens.

One user asked, "If filmmaker can do politics, why not doctors?"

The second user asked, "If he had entered the politics from one of your favorite parties, would you have preached this message?" The third user commented, "Sir, why do you make a right-wing movie and talk about left-wing ideas, your talk is not about politics, you know BJP's opposition, why do you need a state award?"

Another netizen asked, "Is it appropriate to question their choice?"

Meanwhile, the JDS and the BJP are leaving nostone unturned to defeat DK Suresh. Local leaders including CP Yogeshwara, BJP MLA Munirathna and former Karnataka CM and JDS state president HD Kumaraswamy have started poll preparation.