Kerala's Ruling Coalition Faces Strain Over Unilateral Education Pact

Kerala's political landscape is witnessing tension as the Communist Party of India (CPI), a significant ally of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), has openly criticized the state government's decision to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme.

Binoy Viswam, the CPI's state secretary, expressed the party's displeasure, stating that the alliance, along with other members, was not informed about this pivotal decision, labeling it as an infringement of the state's ruling coalition's collective discipline. Viswam questioned the urgency and rationale behind the move.

The criticism arose after the state General Education Department independently signed the agreement with the central government, bypassing essential discussions within the LDF. This decision has introduced a schism within the coalition, with CPI demanding clarity and consultation in future decisions.