Thiruvananthapuram – Even when it was decided that new faces would be ministers in the second Pinarayi government, many people thought that former health minister KK Shailaja would be given another chance. When the party took a different decision, KK Sailaja took on new responsibilities as MLA and Central Committee member. The party is newly tasked with recapturing the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency, which it has been unable to win since 2009. K. Muralidharan, a senior leader of the rival Congress. TP It is certain that the High Court verdict in the murder case will be used as a propaganda weapon by the UDF. Vadakara is a strong constituency for RMP. RMP leader and TP’s wife KK Rama secured 65093 votes in Vadakara in the last assembly election. They are part of the UDF. KK Shailaja talks to Manorama Online about the situation in Vadakara and the elections.
∙ Since 2009, CPM has not been able to win in Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency. How do you assess potential in the constituency?
Vadakara is the power center of the Left. It can be seen in assembly and local elections. Among the 7 assembly constituencies in Parliament, Thalassery and Koothuparam in Kannur district are LDF’s strongholds. Similarly, out of the 5 constituencies that are part of the Kozhikode district, all the constituencies except Vadakara are standing with the Left. As the Health Minister, I was able to overcome all the challenges and work for 5 years. The Nipah outbreak occurred in a soup kitchen in Vadakara Perampra. With no further deaths, those infected with the virus were quickly identified and hospitalized. A great team was formed. The operation was coordinated from Kozhikode. It is something that all the locals know. We were able to contain the virus within a short period of time. Kerala got international recognition. When competing in a place with such experience, I think that’s what people have in mind. Even the uninitiated remember the work in the health sector. If it turns out to be a favorable vote, he will work for the people as an MP. Vadakara has many development dreams. If he becomes an MP, he will seek the opinion of experts on development issues and conduct collective action.
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KK Shailaja (Photo: Manorama)
∙ Vadakara was a strong constituency of LDF. The political picture is changing after 2009. Have the reasons for this been analyzed?
Since 2009, Vadakara has seen a different type of judgment writing. That often happens. It has been seen many times that the UDF has gained ground in the Parliament even when the Left has made a strong advance in the Assembly elections. The main reason for this is that a large number of people voted in the parliamentary elections with the understanding that the Congress can form the government at the centre. The thought that the Left is not a force that can form a government at the center made me think that the Congress can vote to prevent the BJP from coming with such people. A good example of that is the 2019 parliamentary elections. When Rahul Gandhi came and contested in Wayanad, people thought that Rahul Gandhi would become the Prime Minister and there would be Congress rule at the Centre. Some thought that Congress MPs should be selected and sent from Kerala to start with that. In that way, the voting pattern could also be seen. But all those who voted are disappointed now.
KK Rama
∙ Old colleague KK Rama’s allegation that he is contesting in Vadakara to get rid of KK Shailaja by defeating him?
Rama’s allegation is baseless. Sometimes they say that I was placed in Vadakara Mandal to defeat them. Sometimes it is said that it is to win from here and get rid of Kerala. How can these two be said? The party has given me responsibility in different areas at different stages. MLA and minister. He acted as an MLA on the basis that all the ministers were new faces in the government this time and took on the responsibility as a member of the party central committee more forcefully. As a member of the Central Committee, he should also go outside the state for work. Now the focus is more on party activities. When the parliamentary elections came, the party realized its importance and decided to contest 4 central committee members and one PB member. UDF is running a childish campaign. People will understand that.
KK Shailaja (File Photo: Rahul R Pattom / Manorama)
∙ CPM is a part of India Front at the national level. LDF’s competition in all 20 constituencies in Kerala with the Congress which is leading the front?
The LDF had already said that the Congress cannot form a government at the Centre. Congress is not in a position to form a government alone against BJP. Congress has waned in many states. Even in states that get governance, it cannot be maintained. Congress should be able to emerge as an alternative force against BJP. Congress is unable to do so because it takes BJP’s communal approach in a different way. Congress leaders and people’s representatives have no hesitation in joining the BJP. People understand this. Even after these elections were announced, senior Congress leaders went to the BJP. Some people in Kerala are also showing a favorable attitude towards the BJP. In Kerala it has not started to be openly said. What can BJP do instead? The India Front formed on an all-India basis should be strengthened. Only CPM and CPI can stand in the front to protect the secularism of the country on that front. The voice of the left is heard in the critical discussions of the front. If the LDF candidates win in 20 seats, the Left MPs will be able to react strongly against the BJP. No defection or defection of Left MPs should be expected. Congress MPs could not be the voice of Kerala.
2024-03-06 08:39:22
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