Kerala Assembly: Opposition LDF locks horns with UDF over PM SHRI, goes on strike

The opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) on Wednesday (June 24, 2026) stalled on the implementation of the centrally funded PM SHRI (Prime Ministers’ School for Revolt of India) program in Kerala, with both sides firing shots at each other and accusing Parghivar of having an “agenda”.

The Opposition, which filed an Article 50 challenge seeking to discuss the matter in the House by adjourning the Assembly, argued that though the previous LDF government had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Center to implement the program in Kerala in October 2025, the state government withdrew from the program within just 20 days after asking the Center to keep the larger interests of the Pinya leader in mind, the MoU Pinyi Vijayan.

Further, the state has not initiated any follow-up measures related to the implementation of the scheme, such as setting up district and state-level committees, selecting schools in each block and uploading their details on an online portal, as demanded by the Centre, after the government’s decision to withdraw from the scheme, Mr Vijayan said. The current ruling front, which was in opposition at the time and claimed it would “throw Prime Minister SHRI into the Arabian Sea if it comes to power”, is now unabashedly pursuing the project, he added.

P. Prasad, MLA, who sought the House’s permission to raise the issue, wondered why the Indian Muslim League (IUML) “lacked the guts” to categorically state that PM SHRI would not be implemented in the state.

Minister’s answer

However, General Education Minister V. Shamsudheen rejected the opposition’s claim and said that the UDF had not taken any stand on the issue though the previous government had taken major steps to implement the project, putting the current government in a difficult situation.

The current government has appointed a cabinet sub-committee to study the scheme and the state will take a decision only after examining the report submitted by the committee. The state government will not take any decision to suit the agenda of the Sangh Parivar, the minister said.

After the minister’s reply, Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan rejected the opposition’s demand to adjourn all other business to discuss the matter, prompting opposition members to walk out of the assembly.

Published – 24 Jun 2026 12:27 IST