Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is expected to move a State Autonomy resolution in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, further strengthening his government’s push for greater devolution of powers to states.
The resolution comes at a time when the Tamil Nadu government has been vocal in its opposition to several Central policies and perceived encroachments on state rights. It follows earlier Assembly resolutions against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, the demand for NEET exemption, and the call to retrieve Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka.
The Chief Minister’s renewed emphasis on state autonomy gained momentum after a landmark Supreme Court ruling on April 8, which struck down Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi’s delay in granting assent to 10 state bills. The apex court termed the Governor’s actions as “illegal and arbitrary” and underscored that a Governor must act on the aid and advice of the elected state legislature.
“This is not just a victory for Tamil Nadu, but for all states across India. It’s a historic verdict that upholds the spirit of cooperative federalism,” CM Stalin said in the Assembly while announcing the verdict earlier.
In a related development, CM Stalin had also revealed on April 4 that the President had declined the state’s resolution seeking exemption from NEET, calling it a “dark chapter in federalism.”
The proposed resolution is expected to urge the Centre to decentralize powers and respect the autonomy of states as enshrined in the Constitution. Political observers see it as part of a broader narrative championed by the DMK-led government advocating for a stronger federal structure in India.
The Supreme Court’s judgment is likely to serve as a significant foundation for Stalin’s case. The oldest of the bills passed had been pending since 2020, highlighting what the state terms as “deliberate delays” by the Governor’s office in processing legislation.