All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary (organisation), K.C. Venugopal, has stated that the recent disagreement between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and the Communist Party of India (CPI) regarding the PM SHRI scheme highlights a significant breakdown in collective responsibility within the State Cabinet. He also suggested a potential covert alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Venugopal expressed strong disapproval of the unusual speed with which this agreement was implemented, arguing that it reportedly undermines Kerala’s interests and indicates undisclosed motives.
Suspicions of a ‘Secret Agenda’
During his address at the valedictory function for the golden jubilee celebrations of the Kerala NGO Association, Mr. Venugopal claimed that the pact appears to be part of a secret understanding between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the BJP. He insisted on a thorough investigation to uncover the source of pressure that led to such a critical decision being made without the awareness of the Cabinet, the broader Left Democratic Front, or even the CPI(M) leadership itself.
Furthermore, the Congress leader accused the LDF government of consistently disregarding the welfare of government employees across the State. He pointed out that for the past nine-and-a-half years, the CPI(M)-led administration has frequently favored corporate interests, even when these decisions adversely affected workers.
In stark contrast, Venugopal asserted that the Congress and the United Democratic Front (UDF) have always been committed to protecting and advocating for the rights and concerns of the working class.