Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin is likely to table a resolution in the State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, pressing the Central government to devolve more powers to the states in a renewed assertion of federal rights.
The anticipated resolution forms part of a series of measures adopted by the Tamil Nadu Assembly to challenge what it considers the Centre’s overreach into state affairs. In recent months, the Assembly has passed several resolutions criticising the Union government’s legislative actions, including a call to repeal the amended Waqf Act.
Earlier this month, CM Stalin had informed the House that the resolution seeking exemption from the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for the state had been turned down by the President. Terming the refusal a “dark chapter in federalism,” Stalin expressed deep concern over the continuing curtailment of states’ rights.
The state government’s latest move comes against the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s landmark judgement on 8 April, which struck down Governor RN Ravi’s decision to withhold assent to ten state bills — some pending since 2020 — that were re-enacted by the Assembly. The apex court declared the Governor’s actions “illegal and erroneous in law”.
A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan ruled that the Governor is constitutionally bound to act on the advice of the elected government when bills are re-submitted after reconsideration. “Action of the Governor to reserve the 10 bills for the President is illegal and arbitrary, and thus the action is set aside. All actions taken by the Governor thereto for the 10 bills are set aside. The 10 bills shall be deemed to be clear from the date it was re-presented to the Governor,” the court said.
Welcoming the verdict, Stalin hailed the decision as a major win not just for Tamil Nadu, but for the federal structure of the country as a whole. “I would like to inform this House about good news. Our Tamil Nadu government has got one historical judgment. The governor returned various Bills, which were passed in this Assembly, without giving assent,” he said on 8 April.
He added, “Tamil Nadu government initiated a case against this before Supreme Court. Supreme Court has said that the Governor withholding Bill is illegal. Supreme Court has given a historical judgement. This is a big victory not only for Tamil Nadu but for all the States in India. This judgment is a victory for all the State governments.”
The Assembly had also previously adopted a resolution urging the retrieval of the Katchatheevu island, administered by Sri Lanka, a move that again placed the state government at odds with the Centre.
Tuesday’s resolution is expected to further intensify the ongoing debate around the balance of power between the Union and the states, particularly in the context of legislative autonomy, gubernatorial conduct, and the functioning of democratic federalism in India.
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