Kerala Government Faces Criticism Over Teacher Recruitment Protests
The BJP criticizes Keralas Chief Minister for failing to address teacher recruitment protests, accusing him of breaking promises made to candidates.
Thiruvananthapuram, November 12 (Daily Kiran) : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) intensified its criticism of Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Thursday over his handling of ongoing protests by candidates for Lower Primary School Teacher (LPST) positions in Kerala.
BJP leaders claim that Satheesan has reneged on promises he made while serving as the opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the state BJP president, along with national secretary K. Surendran and party legislator V. Muraleedharan, visited the protest site outside the Secretariat to express their solidarity with the demonstrators.
Chandrasekhar pointed out that during his time in opposition, Satheesan made significant statements regarding the strike by ASHA workers. “I am not here to create controversy. The people of Kerala voted for Satheesan to solve problems, but six months have passed with no substantial progress beyond discussions. We demand that the candidates’ concerns be addressed, and until that happens, we stand with them,” he stated.
Surendran noted that while in opposition, Satheesan had visited the protest site and promised a permanent solution to the demonstrators’ issues if the UDF came to power. He accused the Chief Minister of betraying those same individuals after taking office. Surendran recalled the moment when a female protester, Valaramathi, shaved her head in protest, which had moved Satheesan to tears at the time.
He criticized the current government for employing police to disperse protesters, arguing that they are continuing the “politics of neglect” that characterized the previous Pinarayi Vijayan administration. “The BJP’s stance that there is no difference between Congress and CPI(M) is now being validated,” he added.
Muraleedharan accused Satheesan of adopting a double standard, asserting that while he suppresses movements in Kerala, he prepares to initiate protests in Delhi. He condemned the Chief Minister’s authoritarian approach as unacceptable.
He challenged Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and K.C. Venugopal to clarify whether Satheesan’s stance reflects the party’s official position. BJP leaders have called for the government to engage in dialogue with the protesters and provide clear assurances regarding their demands for employment.
