No differences of opinion in LDF over PM SHRI, new labour codes: Kerala CM
Thrissur (Kerala) (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday rejected speculation that there were differences of opinion within the LDF over the PM SHRI and new labour code issues.
Vijayan was responding to reporters' queries whether the signing of the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) memorandum of understanding (MoU) and preparation of the draft regulations in connection with the new labour codes would create differences within the front as the CPI was opposed to these initiatives.
The opposition of the CPI, a key ally of the CPI(M), was the reason behind the Kerala government decision to put on hold the implementation of the PM SHRI scheme after signing of the MoU.
Responding to the query, the CM said there was no lack of unity in the LDF and all the members of the front have the same stand on these schemes.
He said that the Left front was unitedly opposed to the new educational policy and the new labour codes.
"There is no difference of opinion amongst us on these issues," the CM said.
The Marxist veteran further said that the Centre claims that the PM SHRI aims to improve schools. But, the Left government in Kerala has renovated over 2,000 schools in the state without any help from the Centre, he claimed.
"Therefore, schools in Kerala will not suffer if PM SHRI is not implemented in the state. However, if we do not implement it, various funds for the state, which it was eligible to receive, will be denied by the central government," Vijayan said.
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Congress using hijab issue to pacify minority anger, alleges Karnataka LoP R Ashoka
Bengaluru: Leader of Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka has accused the Congress government of using the hijab issue to placate what he described as discontent among minority voters after the Davanagere by-election.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Ashoka alleged that the state government, instead of addressing issues such as price rise, corruption, farmers’ distress and law and order, was attempting to retain its minority vote base by reviving the hijab issue.
Referring to the 2022 dress code introduced by the BJP government, which prohibited hijab in schools and colleges, Ashoka said the Karnataka High Court had upheld the policy and emphasised the importance of discipline in educational institutions.
He questioned the Congress government’s move to revisit the issue and asked whether setting aside the court-backed policy to benefit one community could be described as secularism.
Ashoka further alleged that while the government was willing to permit hijab, it continued to prohibit saffron shawls.
He accused the government of dividing students on religious lines rather than treating schools and colleges as spaces of equality.
Drawing a comparison with Mamata Banerjee’s government in West Bengal, Ashoka claimed that excessive appeasement politics had harmed the state and warned that the Congress in Karnataka could face a similar political response.
He said voters in Karnataka would teach the Congress a lesson for what he termed “vote-bank politics” and for compromising constitutional and judicial principles.
