Changing Colors Like a Chameleon’; V. Sivankutty Mocks Muslim League’s Opportunism Over PM SHRI

Thiruvananthapuram: V Sivankutty has criticised the Muslim League over its stand on the PM SHRI scheme, accusing the party of adopting an "extremely opportunistic" position.

Sivankutty alleged that the Muslim League changes its stance "like a chameleon" to retain power whenever it gets the opportunity.

He said that while the Muslim League strongly opposed the PM SHRI scheme when the LDF government was in power, it has now reversed its position after the UDF assumed office. He questioned what had happened to their earlier declaration that, if voted to power, it would "throw the PM SHRI scheme into the Arabian Sea."

According to Sivankutty, the Muslim League is now hesitant to take a firm stand on the scheme because of its fear of the BJP and the RSS. He also alleged that the party had previously attempted to portray the scheme as part of a "deal" between the CPI(M) and the BJP. He maintained that the previous LDF government had completely rejected the procedures related to the PM SHRI scheme and said it was now for the present UDF government to clarify whether it intended to continue or discontinue the programme.

Rejecting the claim that the LDF government had received funds under the PM SHRI scheme, Sivankutty said the allegation was entirely false. He asserted that the previous government neither accepted funds under the scheme nor identified the schools where it was to be implemented. He also clarified that funds received through Samagra Shiksha Keralam had no connection with the PM SHRI scheme.

Sivankutty further alleged that the Muslim League was attempting to compromise with the policies of the BJP-led government after coming to power and said the party should explain why it had, in his view, misled the public earlier.