Stormy KDP meet: Minister, MLA spar over medicine shortage in Karnataka

Karwar: What began as a routine Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting at Zilla Panchayat Hall in Karwar on Monday quickly escalated into a heated exchange between district minister Mankal Vaidya and MLA Satish Sail, ending with Sail walking out midway. Officials were left stunned as the two Congress leaders traded sharp words.The flashpoint was the persistent shortage of medicines in govt hospitals. Raising the issue, Sail said several hospitals in Karwar taluk were running short of essential drugs and urged immediate action. Vaidya countered, "If there are no doctors, what's the point of having medicines?" implying that the lack of medical staff was the bigger concern.The remark angered Sail, who retorted, "Whose responsibility is it to appoint doctors? Is that my job?" The discussion soon turned personal. The minister reportedly told him to "sit quietly" and avoid unnecessary remarks, adding that he would handle the matter himself if needed.Visibly upset, Sail stood up and said, "I am not an ‘angoota chaap' (illiterate)!" before walking out in full view of officials and attendees. Neither Vaidya nor Sirsi MLA Bheemanna Naik attempted to stop him. Though the meeting continued, the tension was evident.As he left, Sail said the atmosphere was unwelcoming. "If some people (minister) don't want us at these KDP meetings, they should say so openly. We have our taluk KDP meetings anyway," he remarked.Deputy commissioner Lakshmipriya, ZP CEO Dileesh Sasi, and several senior officials were present.Later, speaking to reporters, Sail alleged a lack of real commitment to improving healthcare facilities. He said the minister asked him to bring doctors to Karwar, but attracting them was difficult due to inadequate infrastructure and limited educational facilities."If I am expected to remain silent, then why invite me to the meeting?" he asked, expressing disappointment over what he described as poor seriousness toward ground-level issues.The episode comes amid growing concerns over healthcare infrastructure in coastal Karnataka, with recurring complaints about shortages of doctors and medicines. By early evening, there was no formal statement from Vaidya.It is said there was simmering discontent between the minister and Sail over political issues, including who should become the minister if there is a cabinet reshuffle.