The hardening of the Opposition’s stance stems from its realization that it has managed to cotton on to a potent issue to push the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government on the defensive. As part of the move to step up the stir, three opposition MLAs have undertaken a fast backed by two other MLAs who are on a solidarity strike.

The Opposition’s contention is that by agreeing to hike the fees, the government is protecting the interests of the managements to the detriment of the students. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has accused the government of virtually providing the managements with a bumper lottery.

He also castigated the government for failing, so far, to hold discussions with the Admission Supervisory Committee headed by retired judge J M James, which has received more than 1300 complaints regarding admissions. It was also unfortunate that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan refused to attend the talks initiated by the Speaker on the issue. The opposition, Chennithala said, attended the talks hoping that the CM would participate in it. However, only the health minister and the law minister were present.

He also wanted the government not to stand on prestige, and withdraw the hike in fees The government has, however, rejected the demand, causing escalation in tensions.

The Government’s has rebutted opposition criticism. First, the agreement the government has signed with the managements has effectively prevented them from collecting hefty amounts from students. That some managements are unhappy about being unable to collect capitation fee is understandable. But why should the Opposition, especially the Youth Congress, launch an agitation which virtually espouses the cause of the managements. That is the question being posed by the government circles.

Besides, the erstwhile UDF Government had allowed the managements to admit students according to their whims and fancies in the management and NRI quotas. However, now, all admissions can be done only on the basis of merit. The agreement also means more seats in which students can be admitted at the reduced fee of Rs 25,000.

The agreement also prevents managements from charging even one rupee more than the fee agreed to as per the pact. Any violation of the pact will be dealt with sternly, claims the government. The Opposition is resorting to undemocratic means because their agitation has failed to secure the support of the people. That is the government’s contention.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene in the issue has come as a big relief to the State Government. If the SC had stalled the admission process, the government would have been forced to start the whole process afresh, causing great inconvenience to the students as well. It would also have come as a shot in the arm for the ongoing UDF agitation.

The Opposition is also rapping the government for failing to challenge the Kerala High Court’s order which frustrated its move to take over the right to conduct admissions in all medical colleges in the state. If it had challenged the order, it would have created serious problems for the students and disrupted their studies. That is the Government’s argument for not challenging the order. Hence the agreement with the managements, which the government asserts, is the best that can be made under the circumstances.

Whatever the denouement, the opposition’s move to intensify the agitation would mean that the confrontationist ambience would continue. With the Government refusing to blink, the ball is now in the opposition’s court. A meeting on October 3 of the UDF liaison committee will have to take a decision on its future course of action. (IPA Service)