Attack on Federalism: Kerala CM on Bills to Remove Jailed PM, CMs
The ongoing political turmoil in the country has taken a new turn with the introduction of two bills in the Parliament, which has sparked widespread outrage and concern among political leaders and citizens alike. The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, tabled in the Parliament today, has been strongly opposed by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who has termed it as a “blatant attack on federalism and the rights of states.”
According to Vijayan, the bill seeks to empower the Central government to remove Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers, and Ministers from office if they are arrested or detained for at least 30 days, without providing any framework for such removal. He has warned that this move is a deliberate attempt to destabilize non-BJP governments and silence opposition voices by using central agencies and jailing opponents on frivolous charges.
The bill, if passed, would give the Central government the power to take over the administration of a state if the Chief Minister or any other Minister is arrested or detained for more than 30 days. This would effectively give the Center the authority to bypass the state governments and take control of the state’s administration, undermining the very fabric of federalism.
Vijayan has expressed grave concerns over the implications of this bill, stating that it would lead to a centralized autocracy and undermine the democratic institutions of the country. “The bill is a blatant attack on federalism and the rights of states. It seeks to destabilise non-BJP governments by weaponising central agencies and jailing opponents on false charges,” he said.
The Kerala Chief Minister has also pointed out that the bill is a clear attempt to target opposition leaders, particularly those who are critical of the Central government. “This bill is a tool to silence opposition voices, to muzzle dissent and to undermine the democratic institutions of the country,” he warned.
The opposition to the bill has not been limited to Kerala alone. Several opposition parties, including the Congress, the Left and the TMC, have also condemned the bill, terming it as an attack on federalism and democracy.
The Congress has described the bill as “an attempt to destroy democracy” and has called for its immediate withdrawal. The Left parties have also opposed the bill, stating that it would lead to a centralized autocracy and undermine the democratic institutions of the country.
The TMC has also strongly opposed the bill, stating that it is a “clear attempt to target opposition leaders and silence opposition voices.” “The bill is a threat to democracy and federalism. It seeks to undermine the democratic institutions of the country and destroy the very fabric of our democracy,” said a TMC spokesperson.
The introduction of this bill has also sparked widespread concerns among citizens, who fear that it would lead to a erosion of democratic rights and freedoms. Many have taken to social media to express their outrage and opposition to the bill, using hashtags such as #SaveDemocracy and #FederalismUnderAttack.
In conclusion, the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, is a threat to federalism and democracy. It seeks to empower the Central government to remove Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers, and Ministers from office without providing any framework for such removal. The opposition to this bill is not limited to Kerala alone, and several opposition parties have condemned it as an attack on federalism and democracy. It is imperative that this bill is withdrawn and the democratic institutions of the country are protected.
