The Kerala government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has suspended its agreement with the central government for the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India scheme following strong opposition from its coalition partner, the Communist Party of India. The CPI took a firm stand against the scheme, calling it a violation of coalition politics and linking it to the National Education Policy 2020, which both parties view as promoting saffronisation of education. A seven-member Cabinet sub-committee has been formed to review the agreement. This marks the first time in Vijayan's two terms that the CPI successfully forced a major policy reversal. The decision comes ahead of local body elections scheduled for December and state Assembly elections due in April 2026. The state government has been under pressure as the Centre withheld over Rs 1,400 crore in education funds.
CPI Forces Policy Reversal on Education Scheme
After days of standoff, the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala suspended its agreement with the BJP-led central government for implementing the PM SHRI scheme on Wednesday. The CPI, the second-largest ally in the Left Democratic Front, strongly opposed the rollout, with state secretary Binoy Viswam calling it a violation of coalition decorum. He stated that the issue was never discussed in the Cabinet and allies were kept in the dark. CPI general secretary D Raja urged freezing the agreement, stating his party could not support the NEP 2020, which he called a reactionary and dangerous BJP policy. This marked the first instance in Vijayan's two terms where the CPI successfully forced a major policy climb-down.
Electoral Concerns Drive Government Decision
The timing of the reversal appears linked to upcoming elections, with local body polls scheduled for December and Assembly elections due in April 2026. The CPI(M) could not afford a prolonged standoff over allegations of succumbing to Sangh Parivar pressure and compromising its fight against saffronisation of education, which could upset its secular vote bank. Following the decision, Vijayan announced several welfare schemes, including increased welfare pensions, monthly aid of Rs 1,000 for women from weaker sections, and higher rubber support prices. These measures aim to project Vijayan as the LDF's face for the Assembly polls, with social media already launching a campaign for his third term.
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