Bengaluru, March 4: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed his support for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s call for a national dialogue aimed at restoring center-state relations and the constitutional balance of Indian federalism.
Reiterating Karnataka’s readiness to collaborate with Tamil Nadu and other states, Siddaramaiah emphasized that unity in a diverse republic like India should be based on constitutional trust and cooperative partnerships, rather than unilateral claims.
In a letter dated March 2, he acknowledged Stalin’s earlier correspondence from February 20 and praised the Tamil Nadu government’s initiative to form a high-level committee on center-state relations, describing it as a well-considered effort towards constitutional reform and renewal.
Referencing the backdrop of partition and national integration, the Chief Minister noted that the Constituent Assembly deliberately created a union with similar characteristics under specific historical conditions. However, he stressed that India was envisioned as a ‘union of states,’ not merely a façade of uniform states, with federalism designed as a structural safeguard against the concentration of power.
Siddaramaiah voiced concerns over increasing centralization over the decades. He pointed out issues such as extensive interpretations of the Concurrent List, conditional fiscal transfers, and schemes from the central government that offer limited flexibility to states, along with delays in the Governor’s approval of state laws.
He remarked that what was once termed cooperative federalism is increasingly resembling coercive federalism. Emphasizing constitutional norms, he called for a reevaluation of the framework under Article 246, in line with the spirit of the Seventh Schedule and Articles 245 to 254.
On fiscal federalism, he highlighted that Articles 268 to 281, along with the role of the Finance Commission under Article 280 and the GST framework under Article 279A, should not undermine the fiscal sovereignty of states.
He also referenced the Supreme Court’s ruling in the S.R. Bommai vs. Union of India case, which recognized federalism as a part of the Constitution’s basic structure.
The Chief Minister stated that Karnataka agrees with many concerns outlined in the Tamil Nadu Committee’s report and has consistently emphasized the constitutional space for states in matters like language policy, education, public health, fiscal devolution, and legislative autonomy.
He described these as constitutional claims inherent in pluralism, diversity, and democratic accountability.
Calling for collective action, Siddaramaiah asserted that federal renewal cannot be the effort of just one or two states; it must emerge as a significant national articulation that transcends political engagement.
He clarified that the goal is not to weaken the union but to shape it correctly, enabling the center to focus on national priorities while allowing states to trust in their constitutionally assigned areas.
He urged the central government to provide a structured platform for dialogue, suggesting options like a revitalized Inter-State Council under Article 263, a special conclave of Chief Ministers, or a formal constitutional review dialogue.
He concluded by noting that the lack of such engagement has fostered the perception that cooperative federalism has diminished.
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S.C.H.
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