Kerala BJP's Surendran alleges UDF government bowing to radical forces
Synopsis
BJP's newly appointed national secretary K. Surendran has launched a multi-front attack on Kerala's UDF government — alleging it is blocking a Central education scheme under pressure from the IUML and Jamaat-e-Islami, questioning Congress's silence on the Exalogic ED findings, and accusing V.D. Satheesan of applying double standards on national symbols.
Key Takeaways
BJP national secretary K.
Surendran alleged on 21 August in Kozhikode that the UDF government is functioning under the influence of radical elements.
He accused the Kerala government of stalling the PM SHRI scheme due to pressure from the IUML and Jamaat-e-Islami , even as other Congress-ruled states have implemented it.
Surendran alleged that V.D.
Satheesan refused to sing Vande Mataram in full on Independence Day, unlike Congress CMs in Karnataka , Himachal Pradesh , and Telangana .
He questioned why Satheesan has gone silent after the Enforcement Directorate issued findings in the Exalogic case .
Surendran called on Pinarayi Vijayan to resign as Leader of the Opposition, and questioned Mohammed Riyas 's reluctance to face investigation.
Bharatiya Janata Party national secretary K. Surendran on Friday, 21 August alleged in Kozhikode that the United Democratic Front (UDF) government in Kerala was functioning under the influence of radical elements, accusing it of stalling a centrally sponsored education scheme at the behest of communal forces.
PM SHRI Scheme Stalled, BJP Claims
Surendran alleged that the Kerala government was deliberately delaying the implementation of the PM SHRI scheme — a Central government initiative for school upgradation — due to pressure from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and Jamaat-e-Islami. He argued that the Congress-led UDF's inaction stood in stark contrast to its own party-run states.
'All Congress-ruled states have implemented the PM SHRI scheme. But in Kerala, the Muslim League and religious fundamentalist forces are opposing Central government schemes,' Surendran said.
Vande Mataram Row and Congress 'Double Standards'
Surendran also raised the issue of Vande Mataram not being sung in full in Kerala on Independence Day, alleging that Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan was unwilling to sing even four lines of the national song. He contrasted this with Congress-governed states — Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana — where, he claimed, the song was sung in full.
'Why does a national party like the Congress follow a different policy only in Kerala?' Surendran asked, alleging that the state government was surrendering to communal forces. 'Both ideologically and politically, the Congress has surrendered to communal forces,' he alleged.
Exalogic Case and ED Findings
Turning to the Exalogic case, Surendran questioned why Satheesan had gone silent after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) reportedly came out with serious findings. He recalled that during the previous five years in opposition, Satheesan had repeatedly alleged that the BJP was shielding the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] in the same case.
'Now that the Enforcement Directorate has come out with serious findings in the case, why is Satheesan silent?' Surendran asked. He also claimed that Satheesan, who had earlier alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was protecting then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, had now fallen silent as the investigation neared its final stages.
Broader Political Allegations
Surendran went further, alleging that the V.D. Satheesan government had become 'a carbon copy of the Pinarayi Vijayan government,' arguing there was no meaningful difference between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and UDF administrations on governance. He also stated that Vijayan was no longer fit to continue as Leader of the Opposition and should resign.
Surendran additionally questioned why Mohammed Riyas was reluctant to face investigation. 'If there is nothing to hide, why should Mohammed Riyas fear an investigation?' he asked, adding that even CPI(M) workers appeared to grasp the gravity of the matter — evidenced, he claimed, by their silence against the ED. As the BJP steps up its political offensive in Kerala, the UDF and CPI(M) are expected to respond to these allegations in the coming days.
Point of View
Satheesan's silence is a genuine political liability, not just a BJP talking point. Whether this pressure translates into voter movement in a state where the BJP has historically struggled to break the binary remains the real question.
NationPress
21 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PM SHRI scheme and why is it controversial in Kerala?
The PM SHRI scheme is a Central government initiative aimed at upgrading selected schools across India. In Kerala, BJP leader K. Surendran has alleged that the UDF government is blocking its implementation under pressure from the IUML and Jamaat-e-Islami, even as other Congress-ruled states have adopted it.
What did K. Surendran allege about Vande Mataram in Kerala?
Surendran alleged that Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan was unwilling to sing even four lines of Vande Mataram on Independence Day, while Congress chief ministers in Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana sang the full song. He used this to argue that Congress follows a different standard in Kerala.
What is the Exalogic case and why did Surendran raise it?
The Exalogic case is a financial matter currently being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate, which has reportedly produced serious findings. Surendran pointed out that Satheesan, who previously alleged BJP-CPI(M) collusion in the case, has now gone silent — questioning whether this silence reflects a conflict of interest.
Why did Surendran say Pinarayi Vijayan should resign as Leader of the Opposition?
Surendran alleged that Vijayan is no longer fit to lead the opposition, reflecting what he described as the BJP's official position. He also claimed the Satheesan government has become indistinguishable from Vijayan's earlier administration in terms of governance.
Who is Mohammed Riyas and why did Surendran question him?
Mohammed Riyas is a political figure linked to the matters under ED scrutiny. Surendran questioned why Riyas appeared reluctant to face investigation, arguing that if there was nothing to hide, there would be no reason to fear the probe.
