‘Collective decision’: CM on Shailaja move

Kerala chief minister and Left Democratic Front

(LDF) chief Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday defended the decision to drop former health minister KK Shailaja – whose handling of the Covid-19 outbreak was appreciated across the country – from his new cabinet as a “collective” one by his party and said there was no plan to modify it. Journalist-turnedpolitician Veena George (44) will be the new health minister replacing Shailaja. “We respect their sentiments. But the party has taken a decision much early to induct new faces. It can’t give exemptions to some. It was a collective decision. All ministers of the outgoing government worked well and it reflected in the election also,” he said, adding there was no plan to change the decision. The new cabinet will take oath on Thursday.