CPI(M) Leader KK Sailaja Denies To Receive The Magsaysay Award

She was not interested in receiving it in her capacity, said the leader...

Former Health Minister and Senior CPI(M) leader, K K Shailaja has refused to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award as the late President of the Philippines was known for his alleged brutality against the Communists.

Speaking to the media in Kerela, the former minister said, she rejected the award as she was not interested in receiving it in her capacity, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the award is in the name of Ramon Magsaysay who has a history of alleged brutal oppression of Communists in the Philippines.

The CPI(M) leader Ms Shailaja, a Central committee member of the CPI(M), decided after consulting the party's national leadership.

Moreover, she said that she was considered for the award for the work which was part of a collective effort and it was not right to receive it in her capacity.

"...this award is in the name of Ramon Magsaysay who has a history of brutal oppression of the communists in the Philippines. So, for all these factors together, she politely refused it saying that she will be the first politician to get it," Mr Yechury said.

On Sunday, certain media houses reported that Shailaja refused to accept the award after consulting with the party.

"The NGOs may not be in favour of the Communist ideology. And hence it was not right that I receive it as an individual because I was considered for something which was part of Mr Yechury, who met reporters in New Delhi, and said the award was being given for how the public health issues have been managed in Kerala.

"This is a collective effort of the LDF government and the Health Department in Kerala. So, this is not any individual effort," Yechury said.

He said the Magsaysay Award has not been given to any active politician so far and the Central Committee is the highest decision-making body of the party. of a collective effort. So, I decided not to accept the award. I thanked them and politely refused the award saying I was not interested in receiving it in an individual capacity," Ms Shailaja said.