BJP will oppose govt move to appoint new ASHA workers by excluding those who are protesting: V Muraleedharan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan said that the CPM should end the false propaganda being spread about the ASHA workers' strike. He alleged that Pinarayi Vijayan and his associates are trying to harass and scare away those who are fighting for their right to live.

Muraleedharan assured that BJP members in local bodies will oppose the government's move to appoint new people as ASHA workers by excluding those who are protesting. V. Muraleedharan asked why Kareem is so worried if the strike is being carried out by a minuscule group. The CPM is also a minuscule group in the country. He also said that it is natural for a millionaire like Kareem to feel contempt for semi-starved people.

Elamaram Kareem's claim that Rs 468 crore is to be received from the Centre under the National Health Mission is a blatant lie. Veena George says it is Rs 100 crore. This is an example of how any fake figure will be made to blame the Centre for the state government's failure. V. Muraleedharan pointed out that the state government can amend the labour law and include ASHA workers in its list of employees.

Meanwhile, the government has granted honorarium dues for the month of January to ASHA workers. Along with this, the state government has also paid their three-month arrears. This is the 18th day since the strike of ASHA workers at the Secretariat started. The arrears in incentives have also been paid by the government. However, the main demand of ASHA workers to increase the honorarium has not been accepted yet. Therefore, the protestors said that the strike will continue.