CPI Leader G R Anil Says PM SHRI Row Won’t Disrupt Kerala Governance
CPI minister assures PM SHRI row stays contained.
Senior CPI leader and Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil asserted on Tuesday that the internal discord within Kerala's ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) over the PM SHRI school scheme will not disrupt governance. Addressing reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Anil emphasized that both the CPI and the dominant CPI(M) remain committed to core Left principles, ensuring the coalition's stability. The controversy erupted after the state General Education Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre for the PM SHRI initiative without prior Cabinet discussion, a move that blindsided CPI ministers and fueled accusations of procedural overreach.
Anil downplayed the potential fallout, stating that the issue has not escalated to threaten administrative functions. "The ongoing matters will not impact governance at any cost," he declared, adding that the CPI has yet to take formal steps regarding participation in upcoming Cabinet meetings. He deferred decisions on ministerial attendance to party secretary directives, underscoring the CPI's discipline in adhering to organizational rulings. Reports had speculated that CPI ministers might boycott the weekly Cabinet session in protest, but Anil's comments signal an intent to contain the dispute within political channels rather than allow it to paralyze government operations.
The standoff intensified following inconclusive talks on Monday between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam in Alappuzha. Viswam described the discussions as cordial but fruitless, noting that the CPI's concerns—primarily the lack of Cabinet consultation and ideological opposition to the scheme—remain unaddressed. He indicated that further actions would be announced by party leadership in due course. The Left parties have consistently criticized the Centre's National Education Policy (NEP) and PM SHRI as vehicles for RSS influence in education, viewing the MoU as a compromise of Kerala's autonomous public education framework.
Also Read: Kerala LDF Faces Internal Crisis Over PM SHRI Scheme MoU
State Education Minister V Sivankutty defended the decision, explaining that the MoU was executed solely to secure central funding for school infrastructure without altering the state's curriculum. Despite these assurances, the CPI insists on procedural transparency and prior coalition consensus. The episode highlights underlying tensions within the LDF, yet Anil's reassurance reflects a broader determination to prioritize governance amid ideological debates.
As Kerala navigates this intra-coalition challenge, the incident underscores the delicate balance between federal funding imperatives and state-level political unity. With no immediate signs of escalation, the LDF appears poised to resolve the matter internally, preserving its administrative continuity ahead of broader policy implementations.
Also Read: Kerala LDF Faces Internal Crisis Over PM SHRI Scheme MoU
