Ministerial snub to Vaidya, Deshpande triggers political shockwaves in Uttara Kannada

AICC announced ministers on Monday, initially including Bhatkal MLA Mankal Vaidya, but later dropped his name, calling it a 'typing error'.

Haliyal MLA RV Deshpande, a senior Congress functionary, was also excluded from the Siddaramaiah cabinet.

Vaidya, former minister for fisheries, inland water transport, and ports, was the sole representative of the fishermen community in the cabinet.

The exclusion has sparked concern among fishermen, a politically influential group in the coastal belt who had shifted to Congress in the last assembly elections.

In Uttara Kannada, Brahmins constitute nearly 20% of the electorate, and their omission from the cabinet may impact future elections.