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Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 24 (IANS) The CPI on Friday attacked its own government in Kerala after the state education secretary signed the PM SHRI (Prime Minister’s School for Rising India) project with the Centre.
The first reaction on Friday came from CPI Rajya Sabha member Santosh Kumar, who compared it to a football goalkeeper kicking the ball into his own post.
Santosh Kumar said, “This is definitely a violation of the policies and principles of the Left Democratic Front, and we are still unaware of what has happened, because the only news from the media is that the agreement has been signed. Our party leadership, both in Kerala and at the national level, is discussing this issue of violation.”
Kumar alleged that what has troubled the CPI is that neither the cabinet nor the highest decision-making body – the LDF’s Liaison Committee – was taken into confidence and everything has been kept in the dark.
CPI is the second largest ally of the ruling Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government.
Kerala was represented by the Education Secretary during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Central and State Governments.
CPI has consistently raised objections to the plan, raising the issue thrice in cabinet meetings and CPI ministers raised the issue in their meeting on October 22, but CM Vijayan maintained silence.
As soon as the news of the MOU came out, the Congress party took a jibe at the CPI. Senior Congress leader Cherian Philip said that CPI is a “rare creature which only barks but never bites”.
“Those who see their masters in the guise of ideals wag their tails and swallow even what they had spewed earlier. For the last 45 years, the teeth and claws of the CPI have been mortgaged to the AKG Center (CPI(M) state headquarters). If the CPI’s stand on the PM SHRI scheme is genuine, then it should sever ties with the CPI(M). They should also make it clear whether they cpi Support the secret understanding between (M) and BJP,” Philip said.
Meanwhile, CM Vijayan is currently on a Middle East tour and State Education Minister V. Sivankutty will meet the media in the evening and by then CPI state and national leaders are expected to come out with their stand.
State Revenue Minister K. Rajan, who is the top CPI leader in the state cabinet, said he would reserve his comments.
Just before leaving for his party meeting to discuss the issue, CPI general secretary D.Raja said he would speak later.
–IANS
SG/DPB