Rejecting conciliatory efforts from the chief minister and the CPI(M), the CPI has opted for a hard line, saying the compromise proposal on the PM SHRI issue is unacceptable.
Published Oct 28, 2025 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 28, 2025 | 8:00 AM
The Communist Party of India (CPI) has decided that its ministers will abstain from attending the Cabinet meeting scheduled for 29 October. (Supplied)
Synopsis: The Communist Party of India (CPI) has decided that its ministers will abstain from attending the Cabinet meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 29 October, marking a significant escalation in the standoff within Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF).
Even after the discussions between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam over the PM SHRI controversy, there has been no sign of reconciliation.
The Communist Party of India (CPI) has decided that its ministers will abstain from attending the Cabinet meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 29 October, marking a significant escalation in the standoff within Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF).
Rejecting conciliatory efforts from the chief minister and the CPI(M), the CPI has opted for a hard line, saying the compromise proposal on the PM SHRI issue is unacceptable. The move is being viewed as a political setback for the government and the CPI(M), particularly with local body elections approaching.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met Binoy Viswam in Alappuzha on Monday, 27 October, in a last-minute attempt to defuse the crisis. The meeting, held at the Alappuzha guest house, lasted for about an hour. Following this, CPI ministers K Rajan, GR Anil, and P Prasad also held discussions with the chief minister at the same venue.
Despite these efforts, the CPI leadership remained firm. During an internal meeting later in the evening, party leaders decided to boycott the upcoming Cabinet meeting as a mark of protest.
According to sources, some members even suggested withdrawing CPI ministers from the Cabinet, while others cautioned against triggering a deeper crisis within the LDF.
Ministers K. Rajan and P. Prasad have reportedly expressed willingness to resign if required, while Minister G. R. Anil stated earlier that “the party is more important than ministership.”
The CPI has reiterated that it will not accept any compromise over the PM SHRI issue and continues to demand the cancellation of the MoU.
The CPI state executive committee will convene again on 4 November to decide further steps.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Vijayan declined to comment after his meeting with Binoy Viswam.
The controversy began after the General Education Department signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Centre for implementing the PM SHRI school scheme in Kerala.
The MoU, signed by General Education Secretary K. Vasuki, was reportedly executed without consulting the LDF partners or even CPI ministers, sparking strong resentment within the front.
The CPI, a key coalition partner in the LDF, termed the move a ”violation of front etiquette.”
Party leaders, including General Secretary D. Raja and State Secretary Binoy Viswam, publicly criticized the Education Department’s unilateral action.
“This is not the LDF government. What kind of government is this?” Viswam asked during a press conference.
In an attempt to calm tensions, Education Minister V. Sivankutty personally met Binoy Viswam at the CPI state headquarters to explain that the MoU was signed to prevent central funds from lapsing and that the project would not undermine Kerala’s public education system.
However, the CPI remained unconvinced, viewing the decision as a breach of collective responsibility.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
