Thiruvananthapuram: Veteran Congress leader A K Antony urged Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to hold discussions with the ASHA workers protesting in front of the Secretariat and end the strike by accepting their legitimate demands.

Speaking at the Mahatma Gandhi Family Meet organised by the Jagathy ward committee, Antony asked the Chief Minister to first sanction the maximum possible assistance that the state government can provide.

Antony said he was ready to join the Chief Minister in appealing to the Centre for the additional funds due from the Union Government and, if necessary, to launch a joint protest against the Centre.

The former chief minister also criticised the “double standards” of the state government, pointing out the difference in police action against CPM workers who blocked the road in Kannur violating prohibitory orders, and ASHA workers who were left drenched in heavy rains after police removed the plastic sheets they had set up to protect themselves.

"Kerala will not be allowed to become a state where only CITU and CPM-affiliated organisations have the right to protest," Antony said.

He also raised concerns over the rising drug menace in Kerala, calling it a thousand times more dangerous than alcohol. Recent reports on drug trafficking in the state were shocking, he said, adding that Kerala was slowly losing its reputation as God's own country.

Antony urged Congress workers to actively lead campaigns against drugs and called on social and cultural volunteers to come forward to strengthen family ties in society.