Kerala’s UDF drops opposition to PM SHRI, cites crucial federal funding for school education
UDF convener Adoor Prakash says governments are in perpetuity, and some actions taken by the previous LDF dispensation cannot be undone by the incumbent government, given the fiscal commitments involved
The United Democratic Front (UDF), currently in power in Kerala, recently reversed its opposition to the Prime Ministers' Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) program, which is tied to the New Education Policy (NEP) and has been perceived as pro-Hindutva. UDF leader Adoor Prakash cited the "desperate need" for federal funding for school education in Kerala to explain the political shift.
The UDF previously accused the CPI(M) of engaging in a covert collaboration with the BJP-led Central government to implement the PM SHRI program without proper consultations. Prakash denied that the UDF had carried out a political volte-face, stating that actions taken by the previous dispensation could not be undone due to existing fiscal commitments.
He accused the CPI(M) of creating a political quandary for the current UDF government by secretly dispatching the General Education Secretary to sign the contentious agreement with the Centre. The CPI(M) is alleged to have kept the decision under wraps from the UDF, which was in opposition at the time, to avoid damaging its electoral prospects in the 2026 polls.
Prakash also noted that CPI(M) ministers threatened to boycott the Cabinet if the CPI(M) did not revoke the MoU, causing the PM SHRI fund infusion to stall. The CPI(M) was accused of putting Kerala in a no-win situation by pushing the issue forward.
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