Former Kerala BJP leader K. Surendran dismissed the Communist Party of India’s (CPI) objections to the PM SHRI education scheme as “merely political theatrics.” The CPI, the second‑largest ally in Kerala’s ruling Left government, had raised concerns that the scheme—created by the centre in 2022 to upgrade 14,500 schools into model schools—might erode state control over education.
Surendran laughed at CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam, saying he “raises objections to every major issue but later falls in line with the CPI‑M leadership.” He added that when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan signals from the AKG Centre, the opposition disappears. The former BJP state president also argued that the CPI’s relevance in Kerala politics has faded, citing past leaders like Veliyam Bhargavan as a stronger era.
The Kerala General Education Department had backed the PM SHRI scheme, expecting roughly ₹1,500 crore from the central government. After the CPI’s pushback, the state cabinet deferred the decision, but Education Minister V. Sivankutty said the government will proceed with the programme. Surendran claimed the CPI’s protest is “scripted” and will eventually support the decision.
In Kerala, about 250 schools qualify for the PM SHRI programme. The dispute has highlighted growing tension between the CPI and CPI‑M over policy matters, yet it is unlikely to destabilise the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). T.P. Ramakrishnan, a CPI‑M legislator and LDF convenor, said the opposition would be settled, while Congress chief Sunny Joseph criticised the move as revealing a hidden BJP‑CPI‑M alignment. Joseph pointed out that implementing the scheme without LDF or cabinet consultation signals a broader political design.
Source: ianslive
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