Mr Manjunath Bhandary entered politics at the age of 16 through Sri Vishwanath Bhandary who was President of Bantwal Block Congress Committee. He continued his student political activity at Karkala during 1978, where former Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi contested the bye Election at Chikamaglur Parliamentary Constituency.

     He met Sri Oscar Fernandes, M.P., in 1980 and since then under his leadership, Mr Bhandary has been actively involved in political activities. During the earlier stage, his work included organizing students and young people, implementing party programmes and advocating for Congress party at the grass root level.

     He had a good interaction with beloved Prime Minister Sri Rajiv Gandhi in 1984, which made him involve in full time politics.

     He had an opportunity to work closely with leaders like Sri. Janardhen Poojary, Sri Veerappa Moily, Sri S.M. Krishna, and Sri Mallikarjuna Kharge, at the state level.

     In Student Congress and Youth Congress he had worked with leaders like Mr Ramesh Chinnethal, Sri Mukul Wasnik, Manish Tiwari and Sri Satyajit Sinha Gaekwad.

     During 1996, while Mr Bhandary was Secretary, in Indian Youth Congress and Sri Satyajit Sinh Gaekwad Committee, he traveled throughout the Country to organize the Youth Congress from this visit he gained a lot of political expertise.

     At the same time he had an opportunity to participate as a young political leader at many youth exchange programmes in various countries, where he had interaction with Presidents, Prime Ministers and Ministers of the respective Countries. This exchange programme has given him a lot of international experience.

     As a Youth politician, he held various positions in the party, from College level to National level. At present, he is actively involved in the Karnataka State Political activity, his main responsibility in the party is organization, coordination in election affairs & Administration and also assisting the State President in organization matters & day-to-day affairs.

     As a General Secretary of the party, he had an opportunity to work and coordinate with leaders like Sri A.K Antony. Sri Vaylar Ravi, Sri Pritviraj Chavan, Sri Digvijay Singh and many other senior leaders. He had the privilege to interact with Congress President Smt Sonia Gandhi. Mr. Bhandary traveled and interacted very closely along with Sri Rahul Gandhi when he visited Mangalore and Bangalore.

     Since 1980, Mr Bhandary has very actively involved in all the political activities and participated in all the general elections, he has organized big party meetings and is a very committed party leader.

At present he is working as

     "      General Secretary: Pradesh Congress Committee, Karnataka State.
     "      Member: All India Congress Committee (AICC).
     "      Member: National Children's Fund, Ministry of Women & Child Development,Govt. of India, New Delhi.

As a Student he held the following positions in the Student Congress

     "      District President: National Student Union of India, Chikamagalur.
     "      General Secretary: National Student Union of India, Karnataka.
     "      National Council Member: National Student Union of India.

As a Youth he held positions in the Youth Congress like

     "      Vice President: District Youth Congress, Shimoga Dist.
     "      General Secretary: Pradesh Youth Congress. Karnataka State
     "      Secretary: Indian Youth Congress. National level