Stalin in dad’s federalism footsteps

Chennai: The Rajamannar commission, appointed in 1969 by then chief minister M Karunanidhi to recommend measures for a better Centre-state relationship, did not bring about constitutional amendments that it recommended. But it reshaped the federal political discourse and cemented DMK's state autonomy narrative. Chief minister M K Stalin now seeks to repeat that history by following in his father's steps to table the Justice Kurian Joseph-committee report in assembly on Wednesday. The discussion around the report, Stalin hopes, would provide DMK the political ammunition to target BJP and the Union govt as Tamil Nadu goes to the polls in two months. Coming a day after state finance minister Thangam Thennarasu blamed the Union govt for the fiscal woes of the state, the report signals a sharpening of TN's attack on the Union govt. "State autonomy is the only medicine for obstacles posed by the Union govt to state govts," Stalin said. Several of the recommendations in the report require constitutional amendments which look unlikely, given the dominance of BJP and its NDA allies in Parliament. Hence, at best the report could be a document with some politically persuasive value. Even if a party or alliance in favour of DMK comes to power at the Centre, it would require a broader consensus and not just DMK's interest, say political observers. "That should not stop one from voicing the rights," said retired high court judge D Hariparanthaman. "The report may not have legal sanctity. But when it is tabled in assembly, it becomes the voice of the people of the state," he said. The report could also be a reference document for debates on federalism, and it can influence other states to come up with similar demands. The report is likely to deepen political confrontation between Tamil Nadu and the Union govt, leading to legal and constitutional disputes, particularly over gubernatorial actions, say political observers.