Thiruvananthapuram: The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala, spearheaded by the CPI(M), finds itself in an awkward spot as the BJP and the Central government shower it with praise for implementing the PM SHRI scheme. This sudden commendation is causing embarrassment for the Left, which has consistently positioned itself as the national torchbearer of anti-BJP politics. The ‘certificate of excellence’ comes just as the Opposition frequently reiterates allegations of an underlying CPI(M)-BJP nexus.
Central Ministry’s ‘Warning’ Disguised as Praise
The flow of appreciation began after the state signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre. The Union Ministry of Education hailed the move as a “milestone” for Kerala’s education sector.
While the State government attempts to claim that the PM SHRI scheme can be treated separately from the contentious National Education Policy (NEP), the Central Ministry’s note suggests otherwise. The Ministry explicitly stated that the scheme “will pave the way for schools in Kerala to transform their education system following the footsteps of the National Education Policy.” This note was also shared by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, further cornering the CPI(M).
Conflicting Student Protests and Support
The praise has been bipartisan within the BJP camp, with leaders from State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar to Union Ministers Suresh Gopi and George Kurian publicly congratulating the LDF government.
The situation was further dramatized at the Education Minister V. Sivankutty’s office. While the ABVP, the BJP’s student wing, met the Minister to personally convey their congratulations, the AISF, the student wing of the CPI’s national ally, was simultaneously marching in protest towards the same office.
The CPI had earlier warned its senior partner, the CPI(M), about the political dangers of accepting praise from the BJP over the scheme, fearing it would dilute the Left’s anti-BJP stance.
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