New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 4 (NationPress) The CPI has expressed its dissatisfaction regarding Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's comments in Parliament, claiming that CPI-M Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas served as the "link" between the Centre and the Kerala government concerning the controversial PM-SHRI school initiative.

CPI General Secretary D. Raja has called for CPI-M to clarify the Minister's assertion, which stands in stark contrast to the Left Democratic Front government's public opposition to the scheme led by Pinarayi Vijayan.

While senior CPI officials are reportedly quite unhappy, the party’s state leaders have opted for restraint, choosing not to launch an overt attack for the moment due to the ongoing local body election campaign.

Pradhan's statements on Wednesday have intensified existing doubts among CPI members that the PM-SHRI agreement was advanced through clandestine negotiations, despite the Left's ideological stance against it.

The Union Minister’s claim that Brittas played a role in facilitating discussions between the state and the Centre has heightened these concerns.

Importantly, Brittas has neither denied nor rectified the Minister’s statement.

Instead, he has criticized the Congress and defended his involvement, stating, "If I acted as a link between the Centre and Kerala, that is a responsibility, not a fault," adding, "My responsibility is to support Kerala, not to hinder it."

He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that the state secures Central funding.

Nevertheless, the CPI remains unconvinced.

Insiders within the party assert that they cannot see it as "innocent" if Brittas mediated an agreement contrary to the CPI-M’s and the broader Left Front’s official position.

This issue has become a critical topic, with UDF leaders urging the CPI to publicly clarify its position on the PM-SHRI deal in light of Pradhan’s statements.

The Opposition has intensified its critique through coordinated social media efforts, portraying Brittas as a covert negotiator with slogans such as "You too, Brittas" and "Brittas the mediator".

Interestingly, last month, the Kerala unit of the CPI expressed strong objections and even threatened serious actions when the MoU was signed without the knowledge of other parties in the ruling coalition. Following this, Kerala informed the Centre of its withdrawal from the scheme.