Congress high command objects to Kerala implementing PM SHRI
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Photo: IANS
Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress leadership has reportedly expressed strong reservations over the Kerala government's decision to move ahead with the PM SHRI scheme, a development that could complicate Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan's and the Indian Union Muslim League's efforts to continue implementing the Centrally sponsored programme.
According to sources in the government and the Congress, the party's national leadership has conveyed to the chief minister that the PM SHRI scheme is inconsistent with the Congress' stated ideological and political position. The communication is expected to influence the state's plans regarding the scheme, The New Indian Express reported.
The state government had constituted a Cabinet sub-committee to examine the advantages and disadvantages of implementing PM SHRI. However, sources indicated that the Congress leadership believes adopting a scheme widely associated with the National Education Policy would contradict the party's declared stand and dilute its ideological position.
The issue has also reportedly caused unease within the IUML and among several Muslim organisations. Party leaders had earlier stated, while in the Opposition, that the PM SHRI scheme would be rejected if the UDF came to power.
A senior Congress leader reportedly claimed that PM SHRI serves as a gateway to the National Education Policy, which the party believes could introduce Sangh Parivar ideology into the school curriculum, adding that such a development would not be allowed in Kerala.
The report noted that the UDF had previously accused the former government led by Pinarayi Vijayan of attempting to saffronise the school curriculum, making the issue a key campaign plank during the Assembly elections. According to party leaders, any shift from that position could undermine the Congress' credibility, particularly among minority communities.
Leaders close to Satheesan, however, were quoted as saying that the government has effectively put the PM SHRI scheme on hold for now after appointing the Cabinet sub-committee and is awaiting its report before taking a final decision.
Party sources said the responsibility now lies with the chief minister to persuade the Congress leadership. They also pointed out that both Satheesan and the IUML have argued that the state was compelled to continue with the scheme because the previous government had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Centre and accepted Central funds. The chief minister has also maintained that withdrawing from the scheme would lead to a significant financial loss for the state.