Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: Medical negligence victim, ASHA workers join campaign against Veena George

The contest for the Aranmula Assembly seat, where the United Democratic Front (UDF) and Left Democratic Front (LDF) are locked in a high-stakes battle, has intensified further with K.K. Harshina, a long-time victim of alleged medical negligence, joining the campaign against Health Minister Veena George.

Ms. Harshina, who endured five years of carrying a surgical instrument in her abdomen following a surgery at the Government Medical College, Kozhikode, addressed a rally for UDF candidate Abin Varkey on Monday, sharing the hardships she faced.

“More than the physical pain, it was the Health Minister’s attitude that hurt me the most. She turned a blind eye to my plight. Despite promises, nothing was done to address my concerns,” she said.

Alongside Ms. Harshina, ASHA workers, who had staged protests in front of the Secretariat seeking better pay, also joined the campaign against Ms. George throughout the day. The campaign was led by S. Mini and K.S. Bindu, leaders of the ASHA workers protest committee.

Ms. Mini criticised the LDF for conducting extravagant election campaigns while ordinary ASHA workers remain neglected. Salaries for February and March are yet to be paid, and government incentives remain constrained by legally questionable conditions, leaving many workers in financial distress.