Under Shailaja Teacher, as KK Shailaja is popularly referred to, Kerala had overcome twin pandemics. She was at the helm when Kerala successfully overcame the Nipah virus outbreaks in 2018 and 2019.
None of the ministers of the previous Pinarayi Vijayan government will be retained in the new Kerala Cabinet that will be sworn in on May 20. The entire cabinet has been replaced by fresh faces from the CPI-M and the CPI.
But one controversial decision, to not retain KK Shailaja as the health minister, has come under intense scrutiny and criticism.
Under Shailaja Teacher, as KK Shailaja is popularly referred to, Kerala had overcome twin pandemics. She was at the helm when Kerala successfully overcame the Nipah virus outbreaks in 2018 and 2019.
In 2020, she was credited with controlling the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic in the state.
In September, the UK-based Prospect magazine selected KK Shailaja as the "Top Thinker of the Year 2020".
In the recently-concluded Kerala assembly election, Shailaja Teacher won with a whopping margin of over 60,000 votes for her constituency and home town Matannur.
When questioned, Left leaders sought to remind that the last Pinarayi Vijayan government too had new faces barring a couple of ministers and that the new faces will have the opportunity to perform as well as their predecessors.
Sorry to see leave the Kerala cabinet. Aside from her reputed competence & efficiency, I always found her helpful, responsive & accessible as Health Minister, esp during the crisis. She will be missed.
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor)
Pinarayi2.0 Govt starts with 2 unpopular decisions.
1) A swearing-in ceremony with more than 500 people despite widespread criticism
2) Dropping of Health Minister who was instrumental in fighting pandemic
We deserve better than this! One of the most able leaders of our times! A rarity, really! led the state through the most difficult of medical emergencies.
— Parvathy Thiruvothu (@parvatweets)
At a time when people need hope, confidence and faith more than ever, it is upsetting to see that a high performing minister like who has won by such a majority, will not be in the cabinet to do what is good for the people.
— Anjali Menon (@AnjaliMenonFilm)
Dropping would create huge perceptional problems nationally and internationally, and common people, as well as, health staff are already feeling orphaned. Sincerely wish there will be a rethink on the issue - still there is time. 2/2
— N.S. Madhavan (@NSMlive)
No amount of reasoning, shaming or 'trending' will make or go back on its decision on . It will re-examine these historic blunders 50 years later. Remember, it didn't allow Jothi Basu to become PM, kept out of RS.
— RadhakrishnanRK (@RKRadhakrishn)