LDF strain deepens over school pact

A decision by the Communist Party of India to boycott the state cabinet until the first week of November has escalated tensions within the ruling alliance, stemming from the state government's move to sign a memorandum of understanding with the central government under the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India scheme.

- HD Bureau

The CPI holds four ministerial posts and 17 assembly seats within the Left-Democratic-Front government. Its decision to stay away from the coming cabinet meeting is a significant protest, signalling deeper mistrust with the CPM, which leads the government. On its part, CPI-M argues the pact was a pragmatic step to avoid a funding crunch, noting the Union government had withheld central grants tied to education schemes when states declined to sign the MoU.