Kochi, March 22 -- Kerala minister for local self-governments MB Rajesh on Friday termed the ongoing protests of the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in the state "political in nature" and said the talks with the government failed because of "stubbornness" on the part of the protesters.

Rajesh's statement came on the second day of the indefinite hunger strike launched by a section of ASHAs in Thiruvananthapuram demanding hike in honorarium and a lump sum retirement package.

Currently, ASHA workers in Kerala get a monthly honorarium of Rs.7,000. The protesters have demanded a hike up to Rs.21,000 with respect to adherence to daily wage rates. The agitating ASHAs also want a retirement lump sum of Rs.5 lakh for those exiting the...