CPI(M) leader KK Shailaja rejects Magsaysay award after ‘talks’ with party

Former Kerala health minister and CPI(M) leader KK Shailaja has turned down the Ramon Magsaysay award.

Former Kerala health minister KK Shailaja turned down the Ramon Magsaysay award. KK Shailaja was considered for the 64th Magsaysay Award in consideration of her performance as Kerala health minister, particularly in the period when the state battled the Nipah virus and Covid-19 pandemic.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader KK Shailaja said that the call to not accept the Magsaysay award, regarded as the Asian version of the Nobel Prize, was made after discussion with the party.

“I was informed by the award committee that I am being considered. I am a political leader. This award is normally never given to political leaders,” KK Shailaja said.

The former Kerala health minister added, “I am a central committee member of CPI(M). I discussed it with my party leadership and we collectively took a call not to accept it. It is a big award but it's an NGO and they usually don't support the principles of Communists.”

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