NEW DELHI: The national leaderships are trying to resolve the PM SHRI Scheme controversy without aggravating the CPM-CPI relationship. The issue should not be allowed to drag on as if it were to create a rift in the Left Front. The national leadership will intervene only if the state leaderships of both parties are unable to find a solution.

The stance taken by the CPI at the state executive meeting being held in Alappuzha today will be crucial. National General Secretary D. Raja said in Delhi yesterday that the next move will be decided after that. "This is not a matter of satisfaction or dissatisfaction between the two parties. This is politics against the national education policy. The CPI is firm on the withdrawal of the MoU. Let the CPM clarify its stance. Going ahead with the scheme is the stance taken by only some CPM leaders," Raja responded when the media pointed out Minister V. Sivankutty's opinion. CPM General Secretary M.A. Baby reiterated that it is an issue that needs to be discussed and resolved in Kerala.

Baby's silence is troubling

Party leader K. Prakash Babu said that M.A. Baby's response to the questions of the CPI national leadership, including whether the memorandum of understanding will be reviewed, was silent. "We are very sorry that Baby expressed helplessness. The problem is not infrastructure development, but the syllabus," he added. M.A. Baby responded that Prakash Babu's response did not deserve a reply. Baby mocked that he was very helpless and could borrow some strength from Prakash Babu. D Raja went to Kerala House and spoke to Prakash Babu as the controversy intensified. Raja said that the remarks were made in certain specific situations.