Founders of India did not form a unitary, monolithic government: MK Stalin

(Here is an excerpt from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s speech at a seminar organized as part of the 23rd CPI(M) Party Congress in Kannur)

The founders of our Constitution did not form a unitary, monolithic government. The powers and functions were divided into three, and were placed under the State List, Concurrent List and Union List.

After the passing of the Panchayat Raj Act, powers were delegated to local self-government bodies and devolution of powers. Therefore, I said, villages should develop, and with the development of villages, the state would grow, and with the development of the states, the nation would grow. The central government is intent on destroying the villages and states of India. This is contrary to the Constitution of India.

The Central Government has violated the jurisdiction that was defined by the Indian Constitution and is encroaching upon, intends to extend its jurisdiction.

India was ruled by the British. But even they were not ready to create an all-powerful unitary structure as it is now. The Government of India Act, 1919 also said that the self-government in the provinces should be such that the interests of the region and the provinces are taken care of. It was also stated that the central government should oversee and govern the unified structure of such provinces.

By this, I explicitly accuse the central government of tending to concentrate powers with the intention of subordinating the states and local bodies, which the British also did not.

Mahatma Gandhi then said, “Self-government without autonomy is like replacing the white tiger with the Indian tiger.” Now this is the reality. Such freedom has no value, revolutionary Bhagat Singh had said then.

States are responsible for the well-being of their residents and are making proactive efforts. If our rulers in the central government take pleasure in subjugating the states and crawling before them, is it not a betrayal? Isn’t this an act of revenge on them? Thinking that they are taking revenge on the states, they are taking revenge on the people.

Once the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power, it implemented the Goods and Services Tax (GST) which violates and deprives the financial rights of the state. They have taken away tax revenue. While he had promised compensation, the distribution of compensation has not been completed. And incomplete compensation has also not been given on time. They are not even releasing the funds meant for the state government. Till date, Tamil Nadu is yet to receive ₹21,000 crore.

The Planning Commission was the place where the states could raise these just demands. They have proceeded to dismantle the institution which ensured space for the voice of the states. The National Development Council was the place where the states could express these demands. Obviously, they have abolished such an institution as well. No funds are allocated for railway schemes in South India. To ensure that there was no such debate, the Railway Budget was scrapped as expected.

They will make laws on agriculture, which is firmly placed in the State List of the Constitution of India. But they will not debate, discuss that. All Acts are now legislative, without any debate. Parliament is now devoid of any specific debate and there is no proper answer to any of the questions raised.

The BJP government at the Center is now working fearlessly and thirsty for power to control the cooperative societies in our villages as well.

Given that they have a majority, they are carrying out every action without any hesitation. They feel that all these acts can be implemented by using the office of governor in each state. When each state has an elected cabinet, is it not unconstitutional to rule the state through the office of the governor? Can the central government work like this? Is it constitutional to try to run a parallel government through the office of the governor in states led by opposition parties? In Tamil Nadu, NEET bills passed twice by a constitutionally elected legislature have not been sent to the President by the state governor, who engages in delay tactics. Is he acting according to the constitution?

Not only the NEET bill, 11 bills are in the hands of the Governor. What is the reason for not taking action against them? Do the powers of the nominated governor override the will of eight crore people? If this is the norm of governance in many states ruled by opposition parties, can we call it a functioning democracy?

The fact is that while I can be the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and Thiru. Pinarayi Vijayan may be the Chief Minister of Kerala, if we are yes-man, he will not create any problem for the government. The moment we make laws – to improve the lives of the poor, the weak and the downtrodden; talk about educational rights; explain the culture of South India; Speaks on the principle of equality – they obstruct actions and obstruct actions.

We have to face it, and we are facing it through the legislature, the courts and the public space. To confront and overcome these proactive attempts at disruption, we must organize a group of states – to fight, to oppose. We should make a group of Chief Ministers of South India, and then make a separate group of Chief Ministers of all the states of India.

There is a need to amend the Constitution of India to provide more powers to the states. To do this, we have to come together, looking beyond the boundaries of politics. In view of the current political climate, it is important for like-minded political parties to come together and unite, to form a united front.

Victory is possible only when like-minded political parties are united and this victory will uphold the ideals of social justice, equality and secularism in this country. I hereby request each party to initiate action to ensure such victory.

Let us fight for the autonomy of the state! Let us build a truly federal India!