Wed Oct 29 06:32:54 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article rewrite based on the provided text:
Summary:
A political crisis is brewing within Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) coalition. The Communist Party of India (CPI) is deeply upset with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]-led government’s decision to sign the PM-SHRI scheme, linked to the National Education Policy (NEP), without consulting the LDF or the relevant ministry. The CPI views the NEP as “reactionary” and influenced by the RSS, accusing it of centralizing, commercializing, and communalizing education. The CPI considers the government’s action a “covert policy reversal” and an affront to coalition ethics. Urgent meetings are being held to find a solution to avoid a public showdown, especially with elections on the horizon. Possible solutions include “temporarily freezing” the PM-SHRI agreement. The CPI suggests Kerala should follow Tamil Nadu’s example and challenge the central government in court for attaching political conditions to federal funding for education.
News Article:
Kerala’s Ruling LDF Coalition Faces Crisis Over Education Policy
Thiruvananthapuram, October 29, 2025 – A major rift has emerged within Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) coalition, threatening the stability of the state government. The Communist Party of India (CPI) is protesting against the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)]-led government’s decision to approve the PM-SHRI scheme, a federal program linked to the controversial National Education Policy (NEP), without prior consultation with the LDF or the relevant ministry.
The CPI views the NEP as a “reactionary” policy inspired by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), accusing it of promoting centralization, commercialization, and communalization in school education. The party considers the government’s decision a “covert policy reversal” and an affront to the coalition’s principles.
Top leaders from both parties convened at the AKG Centre in Thiruvananthapuram today in an attempt to resolve the dispute and prevent a public breakdown. CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam, along with several other CPI ministers, attended a separate meeting at the M.N. Smarakam to discuss the situation.
Sources indicate that a potential solution being considered is a “temporary freeze” on the implementation of the PM-SHRI agreement. The CPI has also suggested that Kerala should take legal action, similar to Tamil Nadu, and challenge the central government in the Supreme Court for attaching political conditions to federal funding for education.
With crucial elections looming, both parties are reportedly keen to avoid an embarrassing public confrontation that could benefit the opposition. The outcome of these discussions will be critical in determining the future of the LDF coalition and the stability of the Kerala government.
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