PM SHRI row: UDF-LDF clash ends in oppn walkout in Kerala Assembly
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Thiruvananthapuram: A political confrontation erupted in the Kerala Assembly on Wednesday over the controversial PM SHRI school scheme, with the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) and opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) accusing each other of compromising the state’s interests before the opposition staged a walkout.
The dispute began after LDF MLA P. Prasad moved an adjournment motion seeking a discussion on the state government’s position on the Centrally sponsored PM SHRI scheme.
Education Minister N. Shamsudheen strongly defended the government’s stand and turned the allegations against the previous LDF administration, claiming that the Pinarayi Vijayan government had voluntarily entered into an agreement with the Centre regarding the scheme.
Presenting documents in the Assembly, Shamsudheen said the then General Education Secretary had informed the Union government in 2024 that Kerala was willing to implement PM SHRI.
He further alleged that the LDF government signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on October 16, 2025, accepting a provision that allowed only the Centre to withdraw from the agreement.
The minister claimed that the previous government had compromised Kerala’s interests by signing the agreement, while the present government had neither entered into a new agreement nor surrendered the state’s rights.
Shamsudheen also rejected the opposition’s allegation that the Cabinet sub-committee formed by the UDF government was aimed at facilitating the implementation of the scheme. He said no final decision had been taken and the committee’s report was still awaited.
He pointed out that the previous government’s letter to the Centre had not sought cancellation of the agreement but only requested a delay in its implementation.
The minister accused the LDF of raising the controversy to cover up its own position on the issue.
Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan hit back, alleging that the UDF had changed its stand on the PM SHRI scheme after coming to power.
Vijayan questioned why the UDF, which had earlier promised to reject the scheme, was now unwilling to do so. He maintained that the LDF government had effectively put the agreement on hold and had not taken any steps towards implementation.
He said that even eight months after the MoU was signed, the scheme had not been launched in Kerala and the state had not submitted the list of schools proposed to be included under the programme.
Accusing the government of giving in to the Sangh Parivar’s agenda, Vijayan demanded a clear assurance that PM SHRI would not be implemented in Kerala.
After the minister’s reply, the Speaker refused permission for the adjournment motion. In protest, opposition members walked out of the Assembly, ending another heated session in the House.
With IANS inputs