Minister Mankal Vaidya, Congress MLA Satish Sail clash at KDP meeting in Karwar; Satish Sail walks out

Karwar: A review meeting of various departments (KDP) held at the Zilla Panchayat office in Karwar witnessed tense moments as District In-charge Minister Mankal Vaidya and ruling party MLA Satish Sail exchanged sharp words, leading to the MLA walking out of the meeting.

The heated exchange took place during a discussion on the health department. Raising concerns over the district’s healthcare system, MLA Satish Sail alleged that there was a shortage of medicines in some hospitals.

District Health Officer Shankar Rao responded, stating that while there may be a shortage of doctors in certain places, medicines were available. Supporting this view, Minister Mankal Vaidya said there was no shortage of medicines in the district.

Unhappy with the response, Sail insisted that there was indeed a shortage and raised his voice in protest.

Reacting strongly, the minister reportedly told the MLA that if he was unable to manage the issue, the department would handle it and asked him to sit quietly. Angered by the remark, Sail said, “I am not an angutha chaap (illiterate),” and walked out of the meeting.

Even before the health department discussion, differences had reportedly surfaced between the two leaders over issues such as shortage of transport buses and replacement of old electricity lines.