Supporters express disappointment as Mankal Vaidya misses out on cabinet berth

Bhatkal: The exclusion of former minister and Bhatkal-Honnavar MLA Mankal S. Vaidya from the newly expanded Karnataka Cabinet has disappointed many of his supporters, who had expected him to be inducted into the ministry.

Several supporters took to social media after the Cabinet expansion, describing the development as a "ministerial berth granted and then taken away." Some also expressed the view that Uttara Kannada district had once again missed out on representation in the state Cabinet.

A number of party workers and supporters from Bhatkal had travelled to Bengaluru expecting Vaidya's induction. However, after the final list of ministers was announced without his name, they returned home disappointed.

The development has triggered discussions among Vaidya's supporters, with some questioning why there was no organised public campaign or protest in support of his inclusion. Others felt that if beneficiaries of his public service, members of the fishing community and party workers had united to press his case, it could have drawn wider attention at the state level.

Supporters also argued that Vaidya's exclusion was a setback not only for him personally but also for Uttara Kannada district's representation in the Cabinet. Some political observers have also expressed the opinion that regional and political considerations may have influenced the final selection of ministers.

Despite missing out on a Cabinet berth, Vaidya has not made any public statement expressing dissatisfaction. According to his supporters, he has continued to focus on constituency development and public service, signalling that he intends to carry on his work irrespective of holding ministerial office.