CPI Questions Coalition Dharma As Kerala Decides To Join PM SHRI Education Scheme

Last Updated:October 25, 2025, 10:40 IST

CPI state secretary Binoy Vishwam said the party was kept in the dark about the government’s decision which was taken in “unusual haste”

CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said the state executive will decide the future course of action on October 27.

Kerala’s decision to join the PM SHRI education scheme has led to trouble within the ruling LDF, with the CPI objecting to the move, alleging that it would pave the way for the implementation of the Education Policy (NEP).

CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said the party was kept in the dark about the government’s decision to approve the move and called it a violation of the principles of coalition politics. In a press conference, Viswam said the decision was taken with unusual haste, without any discussion in the cabinet or with coalition partners.

“The CPI had raised the issue in the last cabinet meeting too, asking what was happening on the PM SHRI front. No one in the cabinet responded. What kind of a government is this? Where is the collective responsibility?" he asked in a press conference.

Viswam added that when the issue was brought for discussion before the cabinet on December 12 last year as well as April 9 this year, it was kept aside due to policy decisions. However, it wasn’t taken up again after April.

Viswam has said the CPI state executive will decide the future course of action on October 27.

However, education minister V Sivankutty said there will be no compromise with the education policy of the state after the adoption on PM SHRI as the NEP will not be implemented in Kerala. Sivankutty said Rs 1,476 crore, which the state was to get, was not provided by the Centre because of delay over PM SHRI. He added that though an MoU was signed, no work under the project had begun, delaying funds further.

Sivankutty also said the move did not require a cabinet decision and cited various decisions taken by other departments to join central schemes without discussing them in the cabinet.

The CPIM, meanwhile, said it will hold discussions with the CPI on the issue to allay concerns.

Under the PM SHRI scheme, the Central government aims to upgrade infrastructure in two schools from each block across the country. Each selected school will receive an average assistance of Rs 1 crore annually for five years.

The state government was initially reluctant to join the scheme as it could pave the way for implementing NEP, which the Left parties are opposing over fears of “saffronisation" of education.

News politics CPI Questions Coalition Dharma As Kerala Decides To Join PM SHRI Education Scheme

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