Mankal Vaidya Reluctant to Accept Deputy Speaker Post After Missing Cabinet Berth
The Bhatkal MLA is concerned that the constitutional role could limit his direct engagement with voters in his constituency.
BHATKAL: Congress MLA Mankal Vaidya is reportedly hesitant to accept the post of Deputy Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly after being left out of the state cabinet.
The Congress leadership has offered Vaidya the position in an apparent attempt to address dissatisfaction over his exclusion from the ministry. However, the Bhatkal MLA has so far shown little interest in taking up the offer.
The Deputy Speaker post became vacant after AS Ponnanna was appointed political secretary.
According to a close associate of Vaidya, AICC General Secretary Randeep Surjewala spoke to the MLA on Wednesday and urged him to accept the position. Vaidya initially turned down the proposal but was asked to reconsider. He was expected to communicate his decision by Thursday, but no final decision has been made so far.
Vaidya is understood to be concerned that serving as Deputy Speaker would restrict his ability to remain closely connected with people in his constituency.
As a constitutional office holder, he would have to follow certain rules and may not be able to conduct public outreach programmes such as Jana Samparka Sabhas in the way he currently does.
A person close to the MLA said this concern was one of the main reasons behind his reluctance. However, the Congress leadership continues to persuade him to take the post, raising the possibility that he could eventually agree.
Some Bhatkal Congress workers also said that Chief Minister DK Shivakumar spoke to Vaidya and gave him additional time to consider the offer.
Mankal Vaidya is reportedly aware that rejecting the Deputy Speaker position could also close the door on any immediate possibility of entering the state cabinet.
He had previously served as the Ports and Fisheries Minister and as district in charge minister in the Siddaramaiah government.
Congress workers in Uttara Kannada have expressed disappointment with the party leadership for not including Vaidya in the ministry.