TN CM Stalin Likely To Announce Push For State Autonomy In Assembly Today Amid Centre-State Tussle

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is expected to make an announcement regarding State autonomy in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Tuesday.

Responding to a special mention on the two-language policy on March 25, Stalin had stated that he would soon make a declaration on the matter.

Photo Credit: PTI

"I am firm that we can protect the Tamil language and uplift Tamils only if we ensure State autonomy and uphold the rights of States. I will soon come out with an announcement for that purpose," he had said.

The DMK has consistently championed State autonomy and federalism. Former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had even formed a committee headed by Justice PV Rajamannar in 1969 to examine Centre-State relations.

Rajamannar Committee

"Much water has flowed since the Rajamannar Committee submitted its recommendations. There is a need to revisit the Centre-State relations and cooperative federalism in the wake of changed circumstances, especially the political and economic weather in the country, amendments to the Constitution, proposed delimitation exercise, financial freedom of States, revolution in the information technology, and the domination of social media. A new committee may be appointed to revisit the subjects," a source said.

Stalin has already convened a meeting of Chief Ministers from certain southern States and Punjab to oppose the delimitation exercise, which could potentially reduce the number of Lok Sabha seats allocated to those States. The initial meeting was held in Chennai.

The DMK government is further buoyed by its recent victory in the Supreme Court against Governor RN Ravi.

The Court ruled that Ravi's refusal to act on ten Bills passed by the Assembly was unconstitutional.