LDF supported ASHA workers, fight against Centre, says KK Shailaja in podcast with IE Malayalam

Reflecting on the history of ASHA workers and their invaluable contribution during the Covid-19 pandemic, Shailaja said that their role was initially regarded as voluntary, with a meagre honorarium.

“Anganwadi and ASHA workers were declared scheme workers by the Central government. Earlier, they assigned Accredited Social Health Activists for voluntary services by giving a small honorarium. They were never regarded as employees of the health department,” Shailaja said.

“At that time, UDF ruled the state, and they did not take up the role. They were of the stance that Kerala did not require ASHA workers. Later, during the LDF government’s rule, the role was taken up. Even then, the concept of ASHA workers was voluntary. Their honorarium was increased to Rs 500, much higher than the Centre’s grant,” she added.

With Assembly elections in Kerala slated for next year, Shailaja’s future role within the LDF remains a point of speculation. Speaking about her possible candidature in the polls, Shailaja remained non-committal.

“We prefer one person to lead the LDF. However, I am not disclosing it now, and it might turn out to be so. Sometimes, the party may choose someone else, and there is no male or female preference,” Shailaja said.

Dismissing the narrative that women are sidelined in the LDF, Shailaja reiterated that the party takes decisions based on capability, not gender.

“The Chief Minister’s post is not to be regarded as a reserved seat for a woman. There are political situations in each state. If there is a suitable woman candidate, the party will not abstain from choosing her for the CM post,” Shailaja remarked.

Citing examples of women successfully leading in difficult circumstances, she referenced Rabri Devi’s tenure as Bihar chief minister when Lalu Prasad Yadav was jailed.

“Everyone was alarmed when Rabri Devi was appointed as Bihar CM. However, the woman, who never hogged the limelight in politics, managed the role in a similar way as Yadav. So, there is no lack of ability in her,” Shailaja said.

Shailaja also called for greater representation of women in Kerala’s political landscape.

“Male leaders are the most experienced ones. There are a few women leaders. We have never felt that there is a need for such a discussion now. There is only one CM post. However, we have raised the demand to let more women contest the polls. There will be more women MLAs, panchayat presidents, and at a time when a woman is more suited to handle the matter, the party will not refrain from giving her the role,” Shailaja asserted.

Recalling the sexist and sarcastic remarks she endured during the Covid-19 pandemic, Shailaja remained unfazed. “People mock me by calling me Sister Amma, Covid Rani, as some refer to me as Teacher Amma. I never imagined even in my dreams that The Guardian would title their interview with me as ‘Coronavirus Slayer’ and ‘Rockstar Health Minister’,” Shailaja recounted.

Unbothered by such remarks, Shailaja added, “I never paid heed to such remarks, and it no longer affects me. Merely a small group of people indulge in mockery. There aren’t many who do it. I had said that we received a call from America during the Covid period, and mocking that, some people ask, ‘Don’t you get calls from America anymore, granny (ammachi)?’ People with such a defective mentality say such remarks, and those who are educated and qualified do not say such things.”

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) aims to fight anti-incumbency, the Congress seeks a return to power and the BJP looks to expand its base in the Assembly polls set to be held next year in Kerala. The Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government had drawn flak after the last poll victory after KK Shailaja failed to secure a Cabinet post.