'Real reason behind denying Mattanur to KK Shailaja'; CM Pinarayi Vijayan's rare response

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KK Shailaja, the former health minister of Kerala, holds the record for the biggest margin win in the history of Kerala assembly elections. Shailaja was elected again to the assembly in 2021 from Mattanur by a majority of 60,963 votes. Despite her praiseworthy performance as minister in the first Pinarayi government, Shailaja was robbed of any serious portfolio the second time. With another assembly election around the corner, Shailaja got back to the news yet again after the leadership asked her to contest from Peravoor instead of the party bastion in Mattanur.

Shailaja, who won from Peravoor in 2006, tasted defeat from the same constituency in 2011. In 2016, she contested from Koothuparamba. Criticism remains that the aim of sending Shailaja to Peravoor this time is to ensure her defeat and thus bring curtains down on her political career.

Amidst these rumours, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made a rare response on the topic in an interview with a popular television channel. When asked if Shailaja would be made the chief minister if she wins from a tough Peravoor seat, Pinarayi said it is up to the party to decide, and they will discuss the matter only after the results are out.

“The rumours regarding Shailaja’s election assignment in Peravoor are not worthy of a response. Shailaja was not given any portfolio during her second term, as it was part of the discipline and term system of the party. It is not a great task for the party to introduce new candidates in party strongholds and ensure a win. But to win in some constituencies, personal excellence is also required, and Shailaja seemed the best fit for that in Peravoor,” said Pinarayi Vijayan.