Ahead of flying to New Delhi on Thursday, Manjunath spoke to indianexpress.com on his emphatic win, plans to extend Namma Metro services and the speculation about him getting a cabinet berth.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: What were your first thoughts after winning Bangalore Rural by a big margin?

Dr CN Manjunath: I believe there was a universal liking across the parties—the BJP and the JD(S). We had assessed two ranges of results—a win by either 50,000 votes or, based on the wide response we got during our campaign, over 1.5 lakh votes. But we realized there was an undercurrent of fence-sitters who did not participate in any public meeting or campaign but voted for us. That means there was a wave in favor of me.

Q: In the Kanakapura Assembly segment, the Congress managed to get a lead of only 25,000 votes. How did you manage to gain a huge support base in a segment dominated by the DK brothers?

Dr CN Manjunath: The Kanakapura segment is traditionally a stronghold of the JD(S). However, over the period of time lack of powerful and efficient candidates had failed to make a mark in the Lok Sabha elections. The morale of the JD(S) workers was very low. Later we called a meeting of both BJP and JDS workers and made them realize that here is a candidate who will stand by them… They wanted somebody to anchor them. The credit also goes to my wife Anasuya, who galvanized the party workers at the grassroots level. She went right down to the tertiary level of leaders, interacted with workers and motivated them to stay strong.

Q: What does this victory mean to you personally?

Dr CN Manjunath: I am contesting for the first time. I come from a professional medical background. I believe that somewhere people have recognized my social work over the years. This has played an equally important role in the elections. A lot of people felt that this is the way to reciprocate for the services I have done. Every village has at least five-six beneficiaries who have benefited from us.

Q: What is your development vision for Bengaluru Rural constituency?

Dr CN Manjunath: The constituency is a combination of urban and rural. I think water management is very important for the region. Bengaluru fetches 70 percent of the state revenue. So we have to provide proper infrastructure. There has to be a water management authority and a rainwater harvesting authority for efficient water management. Despite so much rain, so many lakes are still empty. I am also strongly pitching for the extension of metro services to Harohalli industrial hub. This will stimulate the growth of industries and decongest the traffic in the region.

I will also push for technological intervention in sericulture for the people of Ramanagara, Channapatna and Magadi to ensure they get the opportunity to sell silk in the international market. We also need to open up training centers for youngsters in taluks for job creation. A lot of graduates are taking up competitive examinations and we have to set up coaching centers with the help of the government and corporates to aid such candidates.

Q: There has been speculation that the new Narendra Modi government is likely to allot the health portfolio to you.

Dr CN Manjunath: Nothing as of now. First, the new government has to be in place and then other processes will follow.