PM SHRI controversy: LDF faces internal clash as Congress alleges hidden BJP links
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph on Monday accused the state government of a “secret alliance” with the BJP, following the ruling CPI(M)-led government’s decision to join the Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme.
Joseph alleged that the Marxist party’s long-standing covert ties with the BJP have now emerged publicly. “It was part of this secret understanding that the general education minister has announced the state's decision to join the PM SHRI without even discussing it in the Cabinet,” he claimed.
The Congress leader voiced support for CPI members who openly expressed reservations about the Education Department’s move and asked whether they would stand by their stance. “People of the state and the opposition would like to know about it. If the CPI stands by it, we will extend support,” Joseph said, while noting that the party had previously backtracked on similar statements.
Accusing the CPI(M) of dominating the LDF, he urged other constituent parties to clarify their position on the PM SHRI scheme. Joseph also alleged that the CPI(M) had received political favours and other benefits from the BJP and called on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to confirm whether the matter would be discussed in the Cabinet. He further suggested that this influence explained why the BJP remained silent over recent reports regarding an Enforcement Directorate (ED) notice to the CM’s son.
LDF defends participation in PM-SHRI
Earlier on Monday, LDF Convenor TP Ramakrishnan defended the state government’s decision, saying it aligns with the front’s policy of securing maximum funds from the Union Government. “The government departments can take individual decisions in this regard without deviating from the party's policy,” he told reporters.
Ramakrishnan criticised the Centre for allegedly denying Kerala its due funds and tax share and attempting to undermine the state financially. “Even amidst these difficulties, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other ministers have adopted a stand to approach the Centre again to get deserved allocations to Kerala,” he said.
He described the Education Department’s participation in PM SHRI as an administrative matter and stressed that departments could adopt independent decisions while adhering to the broader LDF policy. He added that Kerala’s fiscal constraints differentiate it from Tamil Nadu, which has approached the Supreme Court over central schemes.
Political reactions
General Education Minister V Sivankutty announced on Sunday that Kerala would join PM SHRI to access central funds, but affirmed that the state would maintain its existing educational policy. “Every citizen of the country deserves Central funds, and so there is no need for Kerala to stay away from it,” he said.
Meanwhile, CPI, a key LDF partner, expressed reservations about the policy shift, with its representative in the ministry, Revenue Minister K Rajan, stating that the decision was not discussed in the Cabinet.
The BJP, however, welcomed the announcement while criticising the CPI(M)-led government’s “two years of unnecessary opposition” before joining the scheme. State BJP chief Rajiv Chandrasekhar described Kerala’s change of stance as an admission that the Union Government’s approach and the National Education Policy were correct.
Official sources confirmed that more than 14,500 existing central, state, and local body-run schools will be strengthened and upgraded under the PM SHRI scheme.
PTI inputs