Kerala Government to Seek Concessions on PM SHRI Scheme Amidst Coalition Tensions
Kerala’s ruling coalition is navigating a delicate political situation as teh state government prepares to formally request concessions from the central government regarding the PM SHRI Schools scheme. The move comes after mounting pressure from the Communist Party of India (CPI), a key partner in the Left Democratic Front (LDF), and signals a significant shift in the government’s initial approach to the centrally sponsored program.
The escalating dispute centers on the CPI’s insistence that the state government explicitly communicate to the central government its concerns regarding the PM SHRI scheme.According to reports, an agreement was reached during an emergency state secretariat meeting of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) – CPM – held at the AKG Center on thursday, October 29, 2025.
Key CPM leaders, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, General Secretary MA Baby, State Secretary MV Govindan, and LDF Convenor TP Ramakrishnan, were present at the meeting. A draft letter outlining the state’s request for relaxation of norms was reportedly prepared by MA Baby and afterward handed over to CPI leadership for review by thier state secretariat.
“the condition set by the CPI was that the state government should send a letter to the center showing that the PM is withdrawing from Mr.,” a source familiar with the discussions revealed. While the exact nature of “Mr.” remains unclear, the demand underscores the CPI’s firm stance on the matter.
The situation reached a critical point when all four CPI ministers threatened to abstain from the cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday evening. This prompted intervention from the central leadership of the CPM, who orchestrated a consensus-driven solution to avert a potential crisis. “CPM’s assessment is that it is a strategic move to avoid the absence of CPI ministers from the cabinet meeting,” one analyst noted.
Though, the CPI remains resolute in its opposition to the PM SHRI scheme, advocating for its complete cancellation. The party also expressed skepticism about the feasibility of merely seeking relaxed conditions. MA Baby, the CPM General Secretary, engaged in direct talks with CPI General Secretary D. Raja on Thursday to navigate the impasse.
The CPI state council meeting, currently underway in Thiruvananthapuram, will be pivotal in determining the party’s final response to the CPM’s proposal. The outcome of these deliberations will dictate the future of the PM SHRI scheme in Kerala and the stability of the LDF coalition.
The unfolding events highlight the complex dynamics within Kerala’s ruling coalition and the challenges of implementing national programs in a federal structure. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether a compromise can be reached that satisfies both the CPM and the CPI, or if the dispute will escalate further, perhaps jeopardizing the government’s stability.
Why, Who, What, and How it Ended (as of this report):
Why: The dispute arose from the CPI’s strong opposition to the PM SHRI scheme, believing it undermines Kerala’s existing public education system. They demanded the state government formally communicate these concerns to the central government.
Who: The key players are the Communist Party of India (CPI), the communist Party of India (Marxist) – CPM, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, MA Baby (CPM General Secretary), D. Raja (CPI General Secretary), and the four CPI ministers who threatened to abstain from the cabinet meeting.
What: The CPM and CPI reached a temporary agreement where the Kerala government will formally request concessions from the central government regarding the PM SHRI scheme. This involves drafting a letter outlining the state’s concerns, with the CPI initially demanding the letter indicate the PM was withdrawing from a certain “Mr.” (details remain unclear).
**How it Ended (as of this
