Country is in a dangerous shift from cooperative federalism to coercive centralism: Karnataka CM

Attacking the BJP-led Union Government, Karnataka’ sChief Minister Siddaramaiah said that the country is in a dangerous shift from cooperative federalism to coercive centralism with decisions being made in Delhi and imposed on States, and then celebrated as reforms.

“When the Union Government holds up funds, delays disaster relief and imposes uniform policies, it is not merely violating federalism but betraying socialist spirit of the Constitution. Today, cooperative and socially democratic approach is being systematically overturned. The BJP-led Union Government has replaced trust with control, and partnership with punishment,” the Chief Minister said in Bengaluru on January 20 at the Convention of Socialists from South India, organised by the Centre for Socialist Studies and Samajawadi Sangama.

‘Major crisis’

He argued that the BJP and RSS are bringing upon the country a ‘major crisis’ in the form of delimitation, destruction of constitutional principles and suppression of fiscal federalism. “It strikes at the heart of India’s constitutional democracy. States are reduced to implementing agencies without authority and expected to deliver welfare without funds. Delimitation is a political question that will determine political future, political equality and regional dignity and future of federal structure.

“If delimitation is carried out as proposed by the BJP today, South India will be weakened and power will be diminished. It will be marginalised politically in its own country. It will increase centralisation of political power. In resource allocation, injustice will further increase,” said the Chief Minister.

Mr. Siddaramaiah said it was not just a policy issue, but a threat to very structure of Indian union executed through financial control, political pressure and constitutional manipulation. “Today’s crisis of federalism is not accidental but, it is ideological. It arises from a shift from democratic socialism towards authoritarian centralism,” he said.

Successive Congress governments, he argued, had respected Finance Commissions as an independent arbitrator of fiscal justice, and expanded devolution and grants to enable States to implement welfare schemes. “Institutions like Planning Commission were designed as collaborative forums with States, allowing flexibility rather than top down exercise.”

‘Soul of Constitution’

Stating that cooperative federalism is not a choice but soul of the Constitution, he said, “These words have echoed across time from the debates in the constituent assembly to modern debates reminding us that India’s unity lies not in uniformity, but in respecting diverse regions, languages and cultures. Historically, socialism emerged as a democratic response to authoritarianism,” he said.

Socialist thoughts are deeply rooted in the political history of Karnataka, Mr. Siddaramaiah said, adding that it has shaped Karnataka’s governance culture.