Pathanamthitta: ASHA workers have launched a protest against Health Minister Veena George in the Aranmula constituency ahead of the upcoming Kerala elections. Led by ASHA struggle leader S Mini, the workers are campaigning under the slogan: “No votes for those who insult the ASHA protest”.

The activists clarified that they are not supporting any political front but are urging voters to reject governments that adopt anti-worker and anti-women policies.

Highlighting their 266-day-long struggle in Thiruvananthapuram, the ASHA workers claim they were betrayed by Minister Veena George and appeal to the public not to vote for her. “Anyone who cannot speak truthfully does not deserve to be elected as a people's representative,” stated the activists.

S Mini criticised the Minister for spending crores on election campaigns using buses and large-scale promotions, while refusing even a small increase in wages for workers who have been protesting on the streets for months.

The activists pointed out that February and March wages are still unpaid, and due to illegal conditions imposed over Central Government incentives, many workers in the hill regions are receiving only ₹4,000.

The ASHA workers also allege that the Minister is attempting to portray those highlighting problems in the Health Department as troublemakers. Incidents at Konni Hospital and Thiruvananthapuram Medical College are cited as examples. Mini dismissed claims suggesting that the Minister is being physically attacked as false, emphasising that they have every right to inform the public who to vote for and whom not to vote for in a democratic election.