Kerala Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan | Photo credit: K. Ragesh
Kerala Opposition Leader VD Satheesan has accused the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of capitulating to the Centre’s “coercive demand” that the state implement a “Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-inspired and politically prepared” PM-SHRI program to release compulsory funds for Abhi’s school education Sarva Shiksha Abhi Sarva Shiksha.
Speaking at a press conference in Ernakulam on Friday, Mr Satheesan said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan bowed to pressure from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and signed off on the scheme, which he said was inextricably linked to the “anti-federal, communally divisive and blatantly centrist” National Education Policy (NEP).
“Mr. Vijayan betrayed the national cause against NEP. He violated coalition ethics by keeping the Communist Party of India (CPI), a key LDF ally, in the dark about the controversial decision. Mr. Vijayan did not bring up the matter in the cabinet. He did not consult the opposition. He violated the national line of universal education of the CPI(M) and V.SHvanty NEP.PM-Sivankutty. The state CPI(M) leadership played second fiddle,” he said.
“Education in Concurrent List”
Mr. Satheesan noted that education was on the concurrent list. “The Right to Education Act mandated unconditional release of SSA funds to the states. The allocation is not a charity of the Centre. It is the right of the states who contribute immensely to the divisible tax fund administered by the central government. Linking the Centre’s education grants with the politically charged PM-SHRI and NEP is anti-federal,” he said.
Mr. Satheesan said the CPI(M) had “triggered a mutiny” in the ruling coalition by briefly silencing the objections raised by the CPI and later the RJD. “CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan has denied the very existence of the CPI,” he said.
Mr. Satheesan said that PM-SHRI and NEP were an “ideological project of the RSS to instill majoritarian nationalism” in students. “Congress governments in Rajasthan, Karnataka and Telangana accepted the SSA funds owed to the states without signing the PM-SHRI or agreeing to implement the NEP,” he said.
‘CPI’s choice on alliance’
Asked if the UDF would open its doors to the CPI if the latter leaves the LDF, Mr. Satheesan said, “It is a hypothetical question. The CPI is the legacy of the Left with its historical credibility. It is for the CPI to decide its future course,” he added.
Published – 24 Oct 2025 13:01 IST
