Kerala Opposition Alleges 'Unholy Nexus' Between CPI(M) and BJP

Kerala's Leader of Opposition VD Satheeshan criticized Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of fostering BJP ties through CPI(M) MP John Brittas in the PM SHRI scheme deal. Brittas denies the claims, amid disputes over the scheme's significance. Satheeshan also reprimanded Vijayan over protecting alleged offenders within his cabinet.

Amid ongoing controversy over the PM SHRI scheme, Kerala Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader VD Satheeshan claimed that an 'unholy nexus' exists between the state's ruling party and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In a statement to ANI, he accused Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of facilitating this alliance between the CPI(M) and BJP.

Satheeshan criticized Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP John Brittas, alleging that he acted as a 'middleman' between the Centre and the Kerala's LDF government concerning the PM SHRI scheme. He claimed, 'We have raised allegations against CPI(M) and BJP for their apparent nexus. Without informing the Politburo and LDF, they struck a deal with the central government.' Brittas is under scrutiny after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan credited him for bridging Kerala's government and the Centre in signing the PM SHRI MoU.

However, Brittas refuted Pradhan's claims, acknowledging meetings with Pradhan alongside Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty to solicit funds for Kerala. Although the Kerala government initially planned to implement the PM SHRI scheme, it backed out due to strong objections from ally CPI. In November, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam declared the scheme a BJP priority, not the left front's. Meanwhile, Satheeshan denied Congress's backing of expelled Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, implicated in a rape case, and critiqued Vijayan for safeguarding 'culprits' within his cabinet.

(With inputs from agencies.)