Praising Stalin for commissioning a detailed examination of Union–State relations, Siddaramaiah said Karnataka stands ready to work with TN and other like-minded states to advance “an informed national conversation” on federal renewal. The ruling parties of the two states are part of the INDI alliance.
“I believe it is imperative that all states, irrespective of political affiliations, join hands in constructive federal dialogue,” the CM said in his letter. “Federal renewal cannot be a solitary endeavour of one or two states; it must emerge as a collective articulation. The objective is not to weaken the Union but to right-size it.”
Siddaramaiah reiterated Karnataka’s long-standing position on safeguarding states’ constitutional space in areas such as language policy, education, public health, fiscal devolution and legislative autonomy. “These are not sectional claims; they are constitutional claims rooted in pluralism and democratic accountability.”
Calling for institutional mechanisms, the CM suggested revitalising the Inter-State Council under Article 263, convening a special conclave of CMs or initiating a structured constitutional review dialogue. The absence of such forums, he said, has contributed to a perception that cooperative federalism has weakened in practice.
“A mature federation thrives on negotiated accommodation rather than unilateral assertion,” Siddaramaiah said, adding that India’s unity must rest on “constitutional trust” and collaborative partnership rather than central predominance.
He referred to the historical context of the Constitution and noted that while the framers incorporated certain unitary features amid post-Partition challenges, federalism was envisaged as a structural safeguard against concentration of power.
On fiscal federalism, Siddaramaiah maintained that revenue-sharing mechanisms, including those governed by the Finance Commission and the GST framework, must align authority with responsibility and preserve the fiscal sovereignty of states.
