In an attempt to mollify an apparently indignant CPI, the CPM has taken a conciliatory step over the controversial signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement the PM SHRI scheme in Kerala’s schools.
As part of the reconciliation effort, State General Education Minister V Sivankutty, who authorised the Central-State accord, personally visited the CPI state headquarters, MN Memorial, on Saturday to meet CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam and explain the circumstances surrounding the signing of the MoU.
Following discussions with Binoy Viswam and CPI Minister G.R. Anil, Sivankutty told reporters that all issues related to the PM SHRI scheme would be “resolved through discussions.” However, he declined to share further details, describing the talks as a “friendly conversation.”
Minister G.R. Anil confirmed that the matter was discussed in detail, saying, “The decision has to be made as per policy and the stance of the party committee. The issue will not end with one personal discussion. We meet those who come to the party office.”
Sources said the General Education Minister conveyed that the MoU was signed to prevent the lapse of central funds and assured that the project would not alter Kerala’s public education framework. He also sought to allay CPI’s concerns that the Centre’s initiative might undermine the state’s education policy.
Despite Sivankutty’s outreach, the CPI remains unconvinced, maintaining that the signing of the MoU — done without the knowledge of even CPM ministers — represents a serious breach of collective responsibility.
CPI leaders alleged that the MoU was signed without consultation, breaching coalition etiquette and disregarding the assurance given by CPM General Secretary M.A. Baby that the issue would be discussed within the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam reiterated that the move violated coalition etiquette, adding that “such unilateral actions were not expected from within the LDF.” He also noted that the RSS and BJP were among the first to welcome the MoU signing, suggesting ideological implications behind the decision.
It has since emerged that the MoU was prepared on October 16 after secret deliberations in Delhi, reportedly known only to select top officials and members of the Education Minister’s office. Several ministers are said to have learned about the signing through media reports.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan described the developments as “shocking,” alleging that both the CPM and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan kept not just the CPI but the entire state in the dark. He claimed the MoU was signed less than a week after the Chief Minister’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 10, yet was not presented before the state cabinet meeting held on October 22.
Satheesan demanded that CM Vijayan clarify what kind of “pressure or blackmail” from the Centre prompted such a covert move.
Adding to the criticism, the CPI mouthpiece Janayugom on Saturday published a strongly worded editorial condemning the MoU signing and the explanations offered by Minister Sivankutty.
The editorial accused the CPM of undermining the LDF’s collective decision-making process, calling the MoU “a violation of the basic democratic etiquette of the front system.” It pointed out that the issue had come before the cabinet twice, during which CPI ministers had insisted on a political discussion before any final decision.
Rejecting the Education Minister’s justification that Kerala joined the scheme merely to secure central funds, Janayugom asserted that the CPI’s objection was not to the “Prime Minister” branding but to the ideological roots of the scheme and its link to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The editorial alleged that the PM SHRI schools act as “demonstration models” designed to promote the RSS-BJP ideology and pave the way for the privatisation of education.