KK Shailaja - From Teacher To Kerala's Covid Fighter-In-Chief

Kerala State Election 2021: As a health minister, KK Shailaja led Kerala's efforts against the outbreak of Nipah and the Covid pandemic.

KK Shailaja, Kerala's Health Minister, starts her day by meeting visitors at her home in Kannur's Mattannur, now her constituency for the April 6 election. Mattannur is a CPI(M) stronghold where state minister EP Jayrajan won with a margin of around 40,000 votes in the last election. A quick change of sari, a smile and KK Shailaja, 65, is ready for her day's campaign. At various meeting stops, KK Shailaja speaks of the Left government's efforts to contain the Covid pandemic. "At a time even the most developed countries were helpless with increasing deaths, Kerala has a death rate of 0.4 per cent. This is our biggest achievement. In other states, you've had people go without food for days. In Kerala, government gave every card-holder free ration," she says. "This is a CPM bastion. I don't support this party. I support the United Democratic Front (UDF), but Shailaja will win here. She is a good candidate," says Hashim. At his shop, exclusively selling masks, election season is on display. Masks with CPI(M), Congress and BJP symbols are a big draw. "Masks with the CPM logo are most in demand here. This is my business, so I am happy about the sales," Hashim grins.