K.K. Shailaja, who earned world recognition for handling the Nipah virus outbreak and COVID crisis in Kerala as the health minister, has failed to find a cabinet berth in the Pinarayi Vijayan government's second term. The decision has sent shock waves across the state as at one point she has been even touted as a future chief minister of Kerala.
The decision, according to party sources, has been in line with the CPI(M)'s decision to follow suit with Pinarayi alone to continue from the former ministry. The party has decided to give a chance to fresh faces in the cabinet.
"Only the chief minister will be there (from the previous Kerala cabinet), rest 11 ministers are new. It is a blend of youngsters and the old. It's our party's decision taken by collective leadership," CPI(M) leader A.N. Shamseer told the media.
According to news channels, Shailaja might be given the post of party whip at the assembly. However, Shailaja's shocking omission from the cabinet list is likely to draw flak from the public. After a successful run as the health minister, she won the recently held assembly elections in Kerala by a record margin of 60,000 votes from Mattannur in Kannur.
Under her watch, Kerala successfully tackled the first wave of COVID last year. The state even received an award from the United Nations for its “outstanding contribution” towards preventing and controlling the spread of non-communicable diseases.
In June, Shailaja was honoured by the United Nations for her efforts to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. She was among a few of the world leaders invited to speak on the occasion of the United Nations Public Service Day.
In September, the UK-based Prospect magazine selected teacher as the `Top Thinker of the Year 2020', beating New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, for her role in flattening the curve of COVID-19 Kerala.
