CPI(M) accuses UDF govt. of ‘surrendering’ to BJP over Vande Mataram order

The CPI(M) on Sunday accused the UDF government of “surrendering to the BJP” after General Education Minister Shamsudheen defended the State government’s decision to implement Governor Rajendra Arlekar’s directive to sing the full version of Vande Mataram during Independence Day celebrations.

In a statement, K.V. Abdul Khader, secretary, CPI(M) Thrissur district committee, said the Minister’s reported remark that the State could not ignore the Raj Bhavan’s directive amounted to an admission that the UDF government was prepared to accept the Governor’s positions unquestioningly. “The Minister’s statement is proof that the UDF government has surrendered to the BJP,” the CPI(M) alleged.

Mr. Khader argued that the Governor, as the political nominee of the BJP-led Union government, was advancing the Centre’s agenda and that the State government’s decision to issue an official order based on his directive reflected a shift in its political stance.

The CPI(M) also targeted the government’s approach towards the Governor, alleging that the Chief Minister and his Cabinet had chosen not to confront Lok Bhavan and were instead implementing every directive issued by the Governor.

Drawing a comparison with the previous LDF administration led by Pinarayi Vijayan, Mr Khader claimed that it had consistently resisted what it described as the Governor’s “pro-BJP positions”, whereas the present government had taken the stand that the Governor’s directions could not be disregarded.

“If the government believes it cannot refuse the Governor’s directives, it would be better to hand over the administration to the Governor,” the CPI(M) said, describing the Minister’s remarks as “deceptive” and a betrayal of the government’s stated position.