Senior Congress MLA RV Deshpande (Image Credit: TimesContent)

BENGALURU: Senior Congress MLA RV Deshpande drew criticism after telling a woman journalist, who raised concerns about the lack of a hospital in Joida taluk of Uttara Kannada district, “Don’t worry, we’ll get yours done elsewhere,” before winking.Deshpande, the MLA from Haliyal in Uttara Kannada district and a former minister, made the remarks when the journalist asked, on camera and in front of colleagues, about the urgent need for a hospital in the area, particularly for pregnant women.“We’ll get yours done in (neighbouring) Haliyal,” he said with a smile. When the journalist sought clarification, he added, “When it’s time for your delivery, we will get it done.” The journalist responded that residents urgently need a hospital and urged him to ensure it was built during his current term. Deshpande only replied, “Okay.”The BJP condemned the remarks, calling them disrespectful and insensitive. “Insulting mothers and women is not politics, it’s moral bankruptcy,” said BJP spokesperson Vijay Prasad, accusing Congress of “cheap mentality” and “double standards.”The demand for a multi-speciality hospital in Uttara Kannada has been longstanding, with a social media campaign, #NoHospitalNoVote, launched to press the issue. Residents continue to travel to Mangaluru, Udupi, or other districts for quality medical care, including critical surgeries.