Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has backed Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin’s proposal for a national discussion on recalibrating Union-State relations to restore the constitutional balance of Indian federalism. Siddaramaiah emphasized the importance of constitutional trust and collaborative partnership for unity in a diverse country like India, rather than unilateral actions. He commended Tamil Nadu’s initiative in this regard and expressed Karnataka’s willingness to collaborate with Tamil Nadu and other states.
In response to Stalin’s letter and the report of the High-Level Committee on Union-State Relations, Siddaramaiah highlighted the historical context of India’s Constitution formation post-Partition and stressed the need for a federal structure to prevent power concentration. He raised concerns about increasing centralization over the years, citing issues like expansive interpretations of the Concurrent List and delays in gubernatorial approval for state laws.
Siddaramaiah pointed out the importance of fiscal federalism and the need to safeguard states’ fiscal sovereignty under various constitutional provisions and frameworks. He referred to the Supreme Court’s ruling that federalism is a fundamental part of India’s Constitution. The Chief Minister reiterated Karnataka’s support for states’ constitutional rights in areas such as language policy, education, public health, fiscal devolution, and legislative autonomy.
Advocating for collective efforts in federal renewal, Siddaramaiah emphasized the necessity of a broader national dialogue transcending political boundaries. He suggested options for structured discussions on constitutional reforms, including a revitalized Inter-State Council or a special meeting of Chief Ministers. Siddaramaiah urged the Union government to facilitate such dialogues to strengthen cooperative federalism and address the perception of its decline in practice.
