Thiruvananthapuram: Apart from its U-turn on PM SHRI, the V D Satheesan Government has deviated notably from the Congress party's national stance. The current shift in Kerala's position directly contradicts the stance taken by national leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, regarding the National Education Policy (NEP) and the PM SHRI scheme.

Although the state administration defends its decision to move forward with PM SHRI by arguing that the previous LDF government signed the initial agreement with the Centre, the leadership will be held accountable by the Congress High Command if the issue gains national traction. An article written by Sonia Gandhi in an English daily in April 2025 clearly outlines the party's staunch opposition to both the NEP and PM SHRI.

This article has also been republished on the website of 'Sandesh', the official monthly magazine of the Indian National Congress. In the piece, she notes that centralisation of power has been the hallmark of the Central Government for the past 11 years, with its most destructive impact felt in the education sector. She points out that the Centre never consulted the states regarding the controversial provisions of the NEP. Sonia Gandhi further alleges that alongside a lack of dialogue, there is a clear pattern of intimidation, as evidenced by the attempt to force PM SHRI upon states by withholding Samagra Shiksha funds.