Thiruvananthapuram, June 24 (IANS) The Kerala Assembly on Wednesday witnessed a political showdown over the controversial PM SHRI school scheme, with the ruling UDF and opposition LDF accusing each other of ‘compromising’ the state’s interests before the confrontation culminated in an opposition walkout.

The flashpoint was an adjournment motion moved by LDF MLA P. Prasad, seeking discussion on the government’s stand regarding the Centrally sponsored scheme.

However, Education Minister N. Shamsudheen mounted a spirited defence of the government, turning the attack on the previous LDF administration and alleging that it was the Pinarayi Vijayan government that had voluntarily signed the agreement with the Centre.

Producing documents in the House, the minister said the then General Education Secretary had formally informed the Union government in 2024 that Kerala was willing to implement the PM SHRI scheme.

He further alleged that the LDF government signed the Memorandum of Understanding on October 16, 2025, accepting a clause that gave only the Centre the authority to withdraw from the agreement.

“The previous government sacrificed Kerala’s interests by signing the pact. The present government has neither entered into any fresh agreement nor compromised the state’s rights,” Shamsudheen said.

The minister also disputed the opposition’s claim that the Cabinet sub-committee constituted by the UDF government was intended to facilitate implementation of the scheme.

He said no final decision had been taken and that the committee’s report was awaited.

The letter sent by the previous government to the Centre, he noted, had not sought cancellation of the agreement but merely requested that its implementation be deferred.

“The LDF is now creating a controversy to hide its own embarrassment,” he charged. Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan hit back sharply, accusing the UDF of abandoning its earlier opposition to the PM SHRI scheme after assuming office.

“The UDF had promised to throw the scheme out. Why is it unwilling to do so now?” he asked.

Vijayan maintained that the LDF government had effectively frozen the agreement and had not taken any steps required for implementation.

Even eight months after the MoU was signed, the scheme had not been rolled out in Kerala, he said, adding that the state had not even submitted the list of schools to be included under the programme.

Accusing the government of yielding before the Sangh Parivar agenda, the opposition leader demanded a clear assurance that the scheme would not be implemented in the state.

Following the minister’s reply, the Speaker denied permission for the adjournment motion. In protest, opposition members staged a walkout, bringing to a close yet another stormy debate in the Assembly.

–IANS

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