Pinarayi Vijayan led the Left Democratic Front (LDF) to a historic re-election in the recently concluded Kerala state elections.
Despite winning from her constituency, the highly lauded health minister and ‘virus slayer’, KK Shailaja did not make it to Vijayan’s second term cabinet.
The ongoing debate is whether this was a self-serving ploy by Vijayan or simply execution of pre-decided policy by LDF.
The Shailaja context
During her tenure as health minister, Shailaja received widespread appreciation for her effective handling of the Nipah virus epidemic in 2018 and the Covid pandemic in 2020.
In the May ‘21 elections, Shailaja contested from the Mattannur Constituency and won with the highest margin between candidates ever recorded in the state.
The Kerala context
Kerala has two main alliances- the United Democratic Front (UDF) of Centre to Centre-Left parties and the CPI(M)-led LDF, each of which has held power alternatively for the last four decades.
This time however, LDF defied the long standing tradition to secure two terms in a row.
The Vijayan-led cabinet took oath on May 20.
The explanation from LDF
Amid public and media uproar that followed Shailaja’s exclusion, LDF leaders have explained that it was pre-decided that no old ministers will be retained, to give way to new faces. This is based on the Left theory that individuals are secondary to the organisation.
LDF leaders claim that this unprecedented victory has been achieved because the people believe in this LDF policy.
Criticism for CPI(M)
Media and public alike have raised questions regarding the basis of this decision.
Popular belief is that Vijayan, being the Chief Minister, wasn’t happy with a cabinet member being as popular as Vijayan himself. A view also suggests that this reveals the anti-feminist nature of Kerala politics as seen before in cases of ER Gouri & Susheela Gopalan who were reportedly sidelined for male CMs.
What does Shailaja have to say?
”I accept the party’s decision. It’s quite normal to give the opportunity to the next generation so that they can prove their mettle, which I am sure they would. Not only me, but none of my cabinet colleagues also are continuing. As far as the fight against Covid-19 is concerned, it was not done by me only, it was teamwork.”
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