Tharoor's swipe at LDF: Communists will enter 21st century only in 22nd

New Delhi: In a stinging jibe at Kerala's LDF government, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday said the Communist parties will one day finally enter the 21st century, but it may only be in the 22nd.

His remarks came after a significant move by the Kerala Assembly, which passed the Kerala State Private Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Bill, 2025, on Tuesday. This decision marks a notable shift in the state's stance on education, as the CPI(M)-led government had previously been opposed to privatising education. The bill's passage is a departure from the government's long-standing position.

Tharoor said, "So Kerala's LDF government has finally done the right thing by permitting private universities to open in the state. As usual, the decision comes about 15 to 20 years late, which is usually the case with those anchored in a 19th-century ideology."

Never forget that when computers first came to India, Communist goons entered public sector offices to smash them, the MP from Thiruvananthapuram said in his post on X.

According to Shashi Tharoor, communist parties were the sole opponents of introducing mobile phones in India. Ironically, it took them years to acknowledge that the actual beneficiaries of this technological advancement were the very people they purported to represent: the common man.

"I'm sure they will one day finally enter the 21st century, but it may only be in the 22nd!" Tharoor said, taking a dig at the communist parties.

The bill was passed by voice vote following detailed discussions on Monday and Tuesday.

Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan clarified that the UDF isn't inherently opposed to the bill but rather is advocating for a meticulous examination and scrutiny before its implementation.

To ensure the establishment of high-quality private universities, he recommended prioritising reputable corporate education agencies with a long-standing presence in the state, spanning decades.

(inputs from PTI)