The CPI(M) on Sunday accused the UDF government of “surrendering to the BJP” after General Education Minister Shamsudheen defended the State government’s decision to implement Governor Rajendra Arlekar’s directive to sing the full version of Vande Mataram during Independence Day celebrations. In a statement, K.V. Abdul Khader, secretary, CPI(M) Thrissur district committee, said the Minister’s reported remark that the State could not ignore the Raj Bhavan’s directive amounted to an admission that the UDF government was prepared to accept the Governor’s positions unquestioningly. “The Minister’s statement is proof that the UDF government has surrendered to the BJP,” the CPI(M) alleged. The CPI(M) also targeted the government’s approach towards the Governor, alleging that the Chief Minister and his Cabinet had chosen not to confront Lok Bhavan and were instead implementing every directive issued by the Governor.