Why Shailaja teacher has dropped from the ministry?

Kerala is low profile state in politics except at the time elections to attract national media. But ministry expansion of Pinarayi Vijayan after getting victory second consecutive time became subject to discussion in the media. 

This time Kerala Chief Minister Vijayan has excluded popular sentiment over health minister KK Shailaja. She was replaced by journalist-turned-politician Veena George. There were loud protests after KK Shailaja, the face of the state’s fight against the pandemic was dropped from the new cabinet. 

Many left camp followers, cine artists, writers and students have vented their anger at the government on social media, criticizing the decision to drop KK Shailaja. Pinarayi Vijayan has justified the party’s decision to drop all ministers who worked in first term as per party decision. CPI(M) said Shailaja teacher is not an exception since party decided to give chance to new faces in the ministry. Party said policies are important but not individuals like other parties.

Kerala was the first state in India where first pandemic virus reported. Then Health minister KK Shailaja got highlighted with her work in controlling the pandemic virus. Kerala was one among those recognized and honored for its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by the United Nations on its Public Service Day. She was the only speaker that United Nations allowed from India on the strategies that followed to counter coronavirus in the state. People create trend in Social Media with “Bring back our teacher” campaign. Now, second wave in the state becomes litmus test to new Health Minister Veena George.