Title: Attack on Federalism: Kerala CM on Bills to Remove Jailed PM, CMs
Introduction
The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was tabled in the Parliament on [Date], has sparked widespread concern and criticism from various quarters, including the Left-ruled Kerala state. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a strong statement, has labelled the bill as a “blatant attack on federalism and the rights of states.” The bill, which seeks to remove Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers from office if they are arrested or detained for at least 30 days, has been widely seen as a move to “destabilize non-BJP governments by weaponizing central agencies and jailing opponents on false charges.”
Attack on Federalism
The Chief Minister’s criticism of the bill highlights its far-reaching implications on the very fabric of the country’s federal structure. The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, is seen by many as an attempt to undermine the autonomy and authority of state governments, which is a cornerstone of Indian federalism. By allowing the centre to remove Chief Ministers and Ministers from office on dubious grounds, the bill would be giving the centre immense powers to dictate the course of state politics, eroding the very basis of federalism.
Weaponizing Central Agencies
The Chief Minister’s criticism also highlighted the bill’s potential to “weaponize central agencies and jail opponents on false charges.” The bill would give the centre the power to slap charges on state leaders, including Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers, on flimsy grounds, and then use the might of central agencies, such as the CBI and ED, to prosecute them. This, in turn, would create a culture of fear and intimidation, where state leaders would be reluctant to take on the centre, fearing retaliatory action.
Destabilizing Non-BJP Governments
The Chief Minister’s criticism also highlighted the bill’s potential to “destabilize non-BJP governments.” The bill, by allowing the centre to remove Chief Ministers and Ministers from office, would be giving the centre immense powers to engineer political crises in non-BJP-ruled states. This, in turn, would create a culture of political instability, making it difficult for non-BJP-ruled states to function effectively, and creating a vacuum that the centre could fill with its own appointees.
Challenges to Administrative Accountability
The Chief Minister’s criticism also highlighted the bill’s potential to undermine administrative accountability. By allowing the centre to remove Chief Ministers and Ministers, the bill would be making it difficult for state governments to hold their officials accountable. This, in turn, would create a culture of corruption and nepotism, where officials would be free to indulge in corrupt practices, knowing that they would be immune from accountability.
Conclusion
The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, is a far-reaching and farcical attempt to undermine the very basis of Indian federalism. By weaponizing central agencies, destabilizing non-BJP-ruled states, and challenging administrative accountability, the bill would be a blow to the very foundations of the country’s democratic setup. The Chief Minister’s criticism of the bill is timely and well-justified, and it is hoped that the centre will re-consider its proposed legislation and instead work towards strengthening the country’s federal structure, rather than weakening it.
News Source:
https://x.com/PTI_News/status/1958168087863132663
