PM-Shri Controversy: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Appeals to CPI Secretary Binoy Viswam Amidst Withdrawal Standoff

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan engaged in a telephonic discussion with CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding the PM-Shri project. During the conversation, the Chief Minister conveyed the difficulty in withdrawing from the PM-Shri project, emphasizing that the state has already signed the agreement and that the associated funding is crucial.

Binoy Viswam, however, reiterated the CPI’s strong opposition to the project, stating that the decision to sign the agreement was incorrect. Chief Minister Vijayan urged against taking any drastic decisions in the matter, as the ruling front navigates the internal dispute. A crucial meeting of the CPM secretariat is scheduled for today to address the issue.

Concurrently, the CPI State Executive Committee is set to convene today in Alappuzha. The party’s demand to withdraw from the PM-Shri agreement has so far not received a favorable response from either the Education Department or the CPM. This lack of positive engagement suggests that the CPI is poised to take a firm stance on the issue. The party’s internal assessment indicates that the agreement was signed without adequate discussion, thereby undermining the cabinet’s authority and violating established alliance etiquette. Serious proposals, including the withdrawal of ministers from cabinet meetings and demands for their resignation, were reportedly raised during the party secretariat meeting. A final decision from the CPI is anticipated today.