CPI Ministers to boycott Cabinet demanding withdrawal from PM SHRI pact
CPI Ministers to boycott Cabinet demanding withdrawal from PM SHRI pact
## CPI Ministers Threaten Cabinet Boycott Over PM SHRI School Scheme
**Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala** – A potential political rift is brewing within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, as ministers from the Communist Party of India (CPI) are reportedly considering a boycott of upcoming cabinet meetings. This drastic measure stems from their strong opposition to the state government’s recent decision to participate in the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, a centrally sponsored initiative aimed at upgrading existing schools across the country.
The CPI, a key coalition partner in the LDF government, has voiced deep reservations about the scheme, questioning its underlying principles and potential implications for the state’s autonomy in education. D. Raja, General Secretary of the CPI, has publicly criticized Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s rationale for joining the PM SHRI program, deeming his explanations “unconvincing” and insufficient to justify the state’s participation.
The crux of the CPI’s concern lies in the perceived encroachment of the central government on matters of education, a subject constitutionally under the purview of the states. The party fears that the PM SHRI scheme, despite its stated objective of improving educational infrastructure and quality, could lead to the imposition of a uniform curriculum and dilute the state’s unique educational policies. Furthermore, the CPI views the scheme as a conditional funding mechanism that undermines the principles of fiscal federalism.
According to sources within the CPI, the party believes the Kerala government should have adopted a more assertive stance in securing unconditional central funding for education. They point to the example of Tamil Nadu, which has actively pursued legal avenues, including approaching the Supreme Court, to demand obligatory federal funding for education without compromising the state’s autonomy. The CPI argues that Kerala should have followed a similar path, prioritizing the state’s right to manage its own educational affairs without being subjected to potentially restrictive conditions attached to centrally sponsored schemes.
The potential boycott by CPI ministers poses a significant challenge to the stability of the LDF government. While the CPI is not the dominant partner in the coalition, its withdrawal from cabinet meetings would undoubtedly create a political impasse and raise questions about the future direction of the government’s policies. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between the need for central funding and the preservation of state autonomy in key sectors like education.
The coming days are crucial as both sides attempt to navigate this contentious issue. Negotiations between the CPI and the Chief Minister’s office are expected to intensify in an attempt to find a mutually acceptable resolution. The outcome of these discussions will not only determine the immediate future of the LDF government but also set a precedent for how states engage with the central government on matters of shared responsibility and fiscal federalism. The unfolding drama underscores the complexities of coalition politics and the delicate balance between national priorities and regional autonomy in India’s federal structure.
This article was created based on information from various sources and rewritten for clarity and originality.
