Thiruvananthapuram: The Communist Party of India (CPI) has publicly criticised the Kerala government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Centre for the PM SHRI (Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India) scheme.
The agreement, signed by the State Education Secretary, has drawn sharp rebuke from CPI leaders, who claim the move violates the policies and principles of the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). CPI Rajya Sabha MP Santhosh Kumar likened the act to a goalkeeper kicking the ball into his own post, expressing dismay that neither the cabinet nor the LDF’s liaison committee was consulted.
CPI, the second-largest constituent of the LDF, has consistently opposed the scheme and raised objections in multiple cabinet meetings, including one on 22 October. Despite this, Chief Minister Vijayan reportedly remained silent on the matter.
The Congress party seized on the controversy, with senior leader Cherian Phillip mocking CPI’s response. He accused the party of lacking political resolve and suggested it had long surrendered its autonomy to the CPI(M). Phillip challenged CPI to sever ties with the CPI(M) if its opposition to the PM SHRI scheme was genuine.
Chief Minister Vijayan is currently on a tour of the Middle East. State Education Minister V. Sivankutty is expected to address the media later in the day, while CPI leaders at both state and national levels are set to clarify their position.
State Revenue Minister K. Rajan, CPI’s senior-most representative in the cabinet, declined to comment. CPI General Secretary D. Raja said he would speak after internal discussions.
(Inputs from IANS)