Kerala’s Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency is expected to see a neck and neck fight between the LDF’s KK Shailaja and the UDF’s Shafi Parambil. 

The CPIM lost Vadakara to the Congress in 2009 and hasn’t yet been able to reclaim it. This election, to win Vadakara back, the party has fielded “Shailaja teacher” – Kerala’s much loved former health minister who rose to international fame for her work during the Nipah outbreak and the Covid pandemic. 

Shailaja speaks to The News Minute’s Sukanya Shaji about the idea of India, the LDF’s fight against the BJP, and their political roadblocks in Vadakara.

Watch.