‘There’s Big Conspiracy’: Congress Slams Kerala's Nod To PM SHRI Scheme

Last Updated:October 27, 2025, 15:50 IST

KC Venugopal criticised the CPI(M)-led Kerala government for joining the PM SHRI scheme, alleging a secret BJP-CPI (M) understanding.

Congress leader KC Venugopal. (File)

Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal on Monday slammed the CPI(M)-led Kerala government for signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central government to join the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme, alleging that the decision was taken unilaterally and without proper consultation.

The Congress MP questioned the process followed by the state government and claimed that this is part of a secret understanding between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), suggesting that a larger conspiracy lies behind the move.

“How can a decision like this be taken without consulting the cabinet, the alliance partners? There is a bigger conspiracy behind this," he said as quoted by news agency PTI.

Last week, Venugopal addressed a press briefing where he accused the left government of cooperating with the BJP on multiple fronts while pretending to oppose it publicly. Venugopal clarified that the Congress was not implementing the PM SHRI scheme.

“It’s wrong to say Congress is implementing PM SHRI. We will never support the Sangh Parivar’s educational agenda. Congress is not against teaching about Mahatma Gandhi, but we oppose any ideological distortion in the syllabus," Venugopal said as quoted by news agency ANI.

The Congress MP had further questioned the allocation of Rs 1,400 crore under the PM SHRI scheme, asking if it was “a bribe in the name of education". He had urged the CPI(M) to maintain its earlier stand against the central project and not compromise under political pressure.

Kerala Gives Nod To PM-SHRI

The Congress leader’s remarks came days after the Kerala government officially moved ahead with the PM SHRI (PM’s Schools for Rising India) scheme launched by the Centre.

The decision came after months of uncertainty and political debate within the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). Initially, the state had opposed the scheme, expressing concerns that joining it might lead to the indirect implementation of the Education Policy (NEP) in Kerala.

Confirming the development, Kerala’s Minister for General Education and Labour, V Sivankutty, said that the decision to join the scheme had been formally conveyed to the Centre. The department’s secretary has also been instructed to sign the agreement.

“This was the only way to secure the Centre’s share of Rs 1,500 crore, which is pending for various educational programmes in Kerala," Sivankutty said.

Although both the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Department of General Education had earlier agreed to participate in the PM SHRI project, the Kerala government had to reverse its decision twice following strong objections from the CPI.

The final decision to proceed was allegedly taken without placing the matter before the state Cabinet.

What Is PM-SHRI?

According to the Ministry of Education, PM SHRI School is a centrally sponsored scheme by the centre, intended to develop more than 14,500 PM SHRI Schools managed by the Central Government/State/UT Government/local bodies, including KVS and NVS.

It will nurture students in a way that enables them to become engaged, productive, and contributing citizens, building an equitable, inclusive, and plural society as envisioned by the Education Policy 2020.

(With inputs from agencies)

News politics ‘There’s Big Conspiracy’: Congress Slams Kerala's Nod To PM SHRI Scheme

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