Karnataka backs Tamil Nadu in renewed Union-State federalism dialogue

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has thanked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for Karnataka’s strong support for a renewed national conversation on Union-State relations. In a communication dated March 2, Stalin wrote that Karnataka’s warm response to Part I of the Report of the High Level Committee on Union-State Relations demonstrates a shared commitment to cooperative federalism. Unity in a diverse republic like India is sustained not through uniformity, but through constitutional trust, he noted, underscoring that federal renewal should be a collective effort.

Siddaramaiah responded by stressing that federalism is not a political demand but part of the basic structure of the Constitution. He warned that over the years centralisation in fiscal and legislative matters has disturbed the balance envisioned by the nation’s framers, and he argued that states must have the authority and fiscal space to fulfill their responsibilities. He urged the Union government to provide an institutional platform - such as a revitalised Inter-State Council - for all States to deliberate and restore balance in our federal structure. India’s strength lies in cooperative federalism, constitutional trust, and respect for diversity, he said, signaling Karnataka’s readiness to engage constructively to strengthen the country’s democratic and federal framework.

Karnataka’s stance aligns with Tamil Nadu’s initiative to push for dialogue on federalism and constitutional balance, with leaders calling for a formal forum to discuss Centre-State relations and ensure a healthier balance in the federal architecture.

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