BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has urged Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan to maintain better cooperation with the central government, saying the state cannot achieve its development goals by remaining in conflict with the Centre. He made the remarks while discussing the performance and challenges facing the Kerala government.
Chandrasekhar said cooperation with the Narendra Modi-led central government was important for Kerala’s development. He specifically referred to the PM SHRI school education scheme and questioned the state government’s position on implementing it. The scheme is aimed at improving selected government schools and strengthening educational facilities.
The BJP leader also criticised the Satheesan government over its first 120 days in office. He claimed that several election promises had not been fulfilled and questioned the government’s progress in areas such as education, employment, investment and infrastructure.
Chandrasekhar said Kerala needed more investment and job opportunities for young people. He also raised concerns about the state’s financial position and claimed that debt levels had increased. These comments were part of his broader criticism of the government’s economic and administrative performance.
He also questioned the government’s approach to education and said Kerala needed to modernise its schools and colleges. According to Chandrasekhar, greater cooperation with the Centre could help the state access programmes and opportunities aimed at improving education and employment.
The BJP leader further said Kerala needed to create a better environment for businesses and investors. He pointed to issues such as limited investment, job opportunities and infrastructure as challenges that could affect the state’s economic growth. These were his assessments of the situation and have been presented as political criticism rather than independent findings.
The PM SHRI scheme has been a subject of political debate in Kerala. The previous LDF government had signed an agreement with the Centre to implement the scheme, but the agreement was later kept in abeyance following criticism and protests. The current UDF government has appointed a cabinet sub-committee to examine whether Kerala should continue with the agreement or withdraw from it.
Chandrasekhar said the interests of Kerala’s people should remain the main priority and urged the state government to resolve differences with the Centre through discussion and cooperation. He argued that better coordination could help Kerala focus on education, jobs, investment and public services.
The comments add to the ongoing political debate between the BJP and the UDF government over Kerala’s development priorities and its relationship with the central government. The state government’s position on central schemes such as PM SHRI remains an important part of that debate.