Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
Kozhikode, October 20 (IANS) Former Kerala BJP state president K. Surendran has termed the Communist Party of India (CPI)’s opposition to the PM SHRI scheme as “mere political theatrics”.
CPI is the second largest ally in the ruling Left government in Kerala.
Surendran mocked CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam, alleging that he initially objects to every major issue but later falls in line with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) CPI-M leadership.
“When CM Pinarayi Vijayan gives the signal from the AKG Centre, all opposition disappears,” Surendran said.
He claimed that the CPI has lost its relevance in Kerala politics and compared the current leadership to the party’s strong years under the leadership of Velliam Bhargavan and others.
The controversy came to light after the Kerala General Education Department decided to sign the PM SHRI scheme, which aims to upgrade existing government schools to model schools with central assistance.
About Rs 1500 crore is expected to come from the Center from this scheme.
The CPI objected, citing concerns over the possible erosion of state control in education.
Following the objections, the state Cabinet had earlier postponed the decision to implement the scheme, but according to State Education Minister V. Sivankutty, the decision has been taken to go ahead with the PM SHRI programme.
Surendran alleged that the CPI was conducting a “scripted protest” and would ultimately support the government’s decision.
The PM SHRI scheme, launched by the Center in 2022, aims to develop more than 14,500 schools across the country as ‘model schools’.
In Kerala, around 250 schools are eligible to be covered under this initiative.
Surendran’s comments come amid renewed friction between the CPI and CPI-M over policy issues, but the rift is unlikely to affect the stability of the ruling front.
Although CPI-M MLA and Left Democratic Front convenor TP Ramakrishnan played down the CPI’s opposition and said all things will be resolved, state Congress president Sunny Joseph on Monday alleged that links between the CPI-M and the BJP have now been fully exposed, pointing to recent policy decisions in the state.
Speaking on developments related to the implementation of the scheme, Joseph said the move to launch the program without discussion within the LDF or even in the state cabinet indicates a clear political alignment.
“The nexus between the CPI-M and the BJP has been exposed. The implementation of the PM Shri Yojana without proper consultation in the LDF or the Cabinet is part of that larger design,” he said.
–IANS
to spread