K.K. Shylaja | Photo: ManoramaThiruvananthapuram: Health minister K.K. Shylaja is on a sticky wicket thanks to an alarming number of fever-related deaths and the medical college admission fiasco that has earned the wrath of the high court. Her own party men and allies in the ruling Left Democratic Front want her to step aside from the key portfolio in favor of a stronger leader. Shylaja’s detractors in the CPM say the minister was unable to improve the performance of the health department even a year after assuming office. Issues related to public health and medical education have put the government in the defensive.
The other constituents in the ruling coalition allege that the minister has lost her control of the department as the health secretary is given a free hand in matters of policy and administration. The recent rap on the knuckle by the High Court in the medical college admission procedures has only added to the chorus for Shylaja’s removal as health minister.
The offices of the minister and the government secretary are far from working in tandem. The minister’s office alleges that the secretary is going slow on administrative matters even on issues featured on the LDF election manifesto. The secretary is keeping the minister and her staff in the dark on official decisions, the staff alleges.
The negative comments from the High Court has prompted the chief minister’s office to send a strong message to the health minister to buck up. Shylaja’s office was overhauled to bring in more experienced staff. Still the minister’s office is unable to ward off unnecessary interventions from the bureaucracy, the CPM feels.
The party does not want Shylaja to go but the leadership is in no mood to allow any more delays in implementing key decisions. Voices are raised in favor of moving Shylaja to the proposed department for women. Public works minister G. Sudhakaran’s name was mooted as a possible replacement but chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan was not convinced.
The talks have revived in the backdrop of the high court observations.
The LDF government had been plagued by scams and scandals involving its ministers. The first wicket to go was E.P. Jayarajan, who resigned as industries minister on the 142nd day of the government following allegations of nepotism.
A.K. Saseendran brought in more embarrassment when he was honey-trapped by a television channel. He resigned as transport minister on the 305th day. His replacement, Thomas Chandy, faces serious allegations of land grab.
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