CPI, CPI(M) on same page over PM SHRI, says Binoy Viswam

The CPI and CPI(M) have the same stand on the Centre’s PM SHRI (Prime Minister Schools for Rising India) school scheme, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said on Monday (June 29), rejecting claims by the United Democratic Front (UDF) that the CPI(M) signed up for it without informing its Left.

Addressing reporters here, Mr. Viswam said the CPI(M) did not go ahead with the scheme and described the UDF’s claim that the CPI was unaware of the alleged deal as a “blatant lie”. He also claimed that Kerala has not received any funds under the PM SHRI scheme.

The CPI leader’s comments come amid an ongoing war of words between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the UDF, with both sides firing back at each other and accusing the latter of “giving in to the Sangh Parivar agenda” over the reported move to go ahead with the plan.

Mr. Viswam argued that the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) could accommodate the RSS agenda, but argued that the CPI and the CPI(M) would not.

He demands the Prime Minister’s intervention

Referring to senior journalist R Rajagopal’s allegation that his passport renewal was delayed after his name was deleted from the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) electoral rolls, Mr Viswam termed it a witch hunt by the BJP-led central government.

Mr. Viswam said the CPI had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hit him against the alleged injustice.

Mr. Viswam also accused the UDF of shifting to a pro-feudalist stance with its budget proposals. He said the proposed Mission Samudra project will lead to exploitation of coastal areas and plunder of mineral resources.

Published – 29 Jun 2026 23:23 IST