‘I can’t even imagine myself in CM’s post,’ party is not sidelining me through candidature, says K K Shailaja

THALASSERY: K K Shailaja, former minister and LDF candidate from Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency, said that she can’t even imagine herself in the post of chief minister. In an interview to Kerala Kaumudi Online, she said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been a very capable leader in making Kerala a modern Kerala.

Many survey results predicted teacher would become the CM of Kerala. What is your opinion on opponents saying party is sidelining you?
It is all false propaganda. Will these people support me for this post? This is not sidelining. My presence should be there in Parliament of India. The party’s decision to have me, Thomas Isaac, Elamaram Karim and Radhakrishnan in the Indian Parliament is not belittling. I have been an MLA, has not been member of Parliament. To what extent we can use the possibilities of Parliament. We are asked to contest to the Parliament after calculating that. It's not downgrading. There is a politics behind what others say, not saying this because they want me in Kerala.

Don’t your well-wishers feel sad when you go to the Lok Sabha?
What I have to tell them is that I have been a minister for five years. I have done my best. They should allow me to function in this new area. By availing the opportunity in Parliament, I will be able to work for Kerala from Kerala itself. The chief minister is a post. Our Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is standing with a very capable leadership to develop Kerala into a modern Kerala. I have never been able to imagine myself in that post.

If people show me that love, then I am going to the Indian Parliament. I am going to the parliament of a country from the assembly of a state. I believe that if I go there, I will be able to work better than I did here. I am asking people for that opportunity. I am sure people will understand.

Teacher is from Kannur; how do you feel when competing from Vadakara?
Vadakara constituency is joining of two districts. My area is Kannur. It is easy to go to Vadakara constituency from going to many parts of Kannur. I am an MLA from Koothuparambu which is in Vadakara constituency. Thalassery Constituency is Vadakara. I am facing polls not looking at any district. No matter where we go in Kerala, we have no problem doing any activity there. When the party wants to field me, the chances are better than in Kannur. The situation is very favourable here. This time the Left Democratic Front will win in Vadakara constituency.

What will you do first after your win?

As part of the Amrit project associated with the central government, one and two railway stations have started functioning. The functioning is very slow. The work will be accelerated in collaboration with the central government. Koyilandy railway station is being neglected. The development there is very important. The development of highways which can be done in association with the central government and the state government is being delayed. Kerala government's intervention was a part of it.
Vadakara is a constituency of agricultural importance. Some activities related to the agricultural sector have to be considered. Likewise, the industrial sector. Things that can be done for students and young people...all these things are under consideration. A plan should be devised for that.

Isn't Modi's influence increasing in Kerala too? Will BJP open their account?
It is not possible. There is no possibility for that. Where will they win? The main fight here is between the LDF and the UDF. So, I think BJP has no chance.

UDF leaders have said the verdict in TP case will be highlighted in elections. Will this not reflect in elections?

Assembly elections came after the TP case. The verdict has now included two more people already there. It is a case. It's a sad thing that shouldn't happen. Many such things have happened in Kerala. All have fallen prey to it. All those cases do not seem to be discussed in the election.

K K Rema herself had said that you are being oppressed. What is your response to that?
Isn't all that said during election time? I am not responding to that now.