Attack on Federalism: Kerala CM on Bills to Remove Jailed PM, CMs
The Indian federal system has been under threat lately, with the central government’s recent moves being perceived as a direct assault on the powers of states. The latest salvo in this ongoing battle has come in the form of the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was tabled in the Parliament today. The Bill seeks to remove Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers, and Ministers who have been arrested or detained for at least 30 days from their positions. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been vocal in his criticism of the Bill, terming it a blatant attack on federalism and the rights of states.
According to Vijayan, the Bill is a desperate attempt by the central government to destabilise non-BJP governments by weaponising central agencies and jailing opponents on false charges. This, he argues, is a clear violation of the basic tenets of federalism, which enshrines the autonomy of states and provides them with the freedom to govern themselves.
The Bill, if passed, would give the central government the power to remove Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers, and Ministers who have been arrested or detained for at least 30 days from their positions. This would effectively cripple the ability of states to govern themselves, as they would be unable to appoint new leaders in the absence of the arrested officials.
Vijayan has also accused the central government of trying to undermine the judiciary and the investigative agencies, by using them to target political opponents. “This Bill is a clear attempt to undermine the independence of the judiciary and the investigative agencies, by using them to target political opponents,” he said. “It is a clear violation of the principles of federalism and the rights of states to govern themselves.”
The Kerala Chief Minister’s comments have been echoed by several other opposition leaders, who have also criticized the Bill as an attack on federalism. “The Bill is a clear attempt to undermine the autonomy of states and to centralise power in the hands of the central government,” said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “It is a clear violation of the principles of federalism and the rights of states to govern themselves.”
The Bill has been criticized by several other opposition parties, including the Left parties, the Congress, and the Trinamool Congress. “The Bill is a clear attempt to undermine the autonomy of states and to centralise power in the hands of the central government,” said CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury. “It is a clear violation of the principles of federalism and the rights of states to govern themselves.”
The Bill has also been criticized by several civil society organizations, who have argued that it is a clear attempt to undermine the democratic process. “The Bill is a clear attempt to undermine the democratic process and to centralise power in the hands of the central government,” said MKSS leader Aruna Roy. “It is a clear violation of the principles of federalism and the rights of states to govern themselves.”
The central government has defended the Bill, arguing that it is necessary to ensure the stability of the government and to prevent the misuse of power by state officials. “The Bill is necessary to ensure the stability of the government and to prevent the misuse of power by state officials,” said Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. “It is a clear attempt to strengthen the federal system and to ensure the autonomy of states.”
However, many critics of the Bill have argued that it is a clear attempt to undermine the autonomy of states and to centralise power in the hands of the central government. “The Bill is a clear attempt to undermine the autonomy of states and to centralise power in the hands of the central government,” said Congress leader Kapil Sibal. “It is a clear violation of the principles of federalism and the rights of states to govern themselves.”
The Bill is currently being debated in the Parliament, and it is expected to be passed soon. However, many critics of the Bill have vowed to continue to fight against it, arguing that it is a clear attack on federalism and the rights of states.
Conclusion
The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, is a clear attack on federalism and the rights of states. The Bill seeks to remove Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers, and Ministers who have been arrested or detained for at least 30 days from their positions, which would effectively cripple the ability of states to govern themselves. The Bill has been criticized by several opposition leaders and civil society organizations, who have argued that it is a clear attempt to undermine the autonomy of states and to centralise power in the hands of the central government.
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