Attack on Federalism: Kerala CM on Bills to Remove Jailed PM, CMs
The recent move by the central government to table the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Parliament has raised concerns among opposition parties, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan being the latest to speak out against it. Vijayan, who has been a vocal critic of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its policies, has labelled the bill as a “blatant attack on federalism and the rights of states.”
The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was tabled in the Parliament on April 13, 2025, seeks to amend Article 75 and Article 78 of the Constitution, which deal with the disqualification of the Prime Minister and Ministers from holding the office. The bill proposes to insert a new clause in these articles, which would allow for the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers who have been arrested or detained for at least 30 days on charges of corruption, terrorism, or other serious offenses.
Vijayan, in his statement, has raised concerns about the implications of the bill, saying that it is a “clear and brazen attempt to destabilize non-BJP governments by weaponizing central agencies and jailing opponents on false charges.” He has also questioned the timing of the bill, which he believes is an attempt to pass it in the current session of the Parliament, which is set to end on April 25, 2025.
Vijayan has also highlighted the potential consequences of the bill, saying that it would create a “climate of fear and intimidation” and drive a wedge between the federal government and state governments. He has also expressed concern about the potential for abuse of power, saying that the bill would give the central government the ability to “arbitrary and unaccountable” to remove state governments and their leaders, simply because they are not aligned with the ruling party.
The Kerala Chief Minister has also taken a swipe at the central government, accusing it of using the bill as a “tool to browbeat and intimidate opposition parties and states that do not toe its line.” He has also questioned the motives of the bill, saying that it is a “clear attempt to undermine the federal structure and the rights of states, and to create a monolithic structure where all power is concentrated in the hands of the central government.”
Vijayan has also called for the opposition parties and civil society organizations to come together and stand against the bill, saying that it is a “a clear and present danger to the very foundation of our democracy.” He has also urged the people of the country to be vigilant and to stand up against the bill, saying that it is a “matter of national importance and it requires a collective effort to defeat it.”
The Kerala Chief Minister’s statement has been widely shared and has sparked a heated debate on social media and among political circles. Many have expressed their support for Vijayan, while others have criticized him for being too critical and for politicizing the issue.
As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen how the bill will fare in the Parliament. While some have expressed their support for the bill, others have raised concerns about its potential implications and have called for it to be rejected.
In conclusion, the recent move by the central government to table the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, has raised concerns among opposition parties and civil society organizations, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan being the latest to speak out against it. Vijayan has labelled the bill as a “blatant attack on federalism and the rights of states,” and has raised concerns about its potential implications and the potential for abuse of power. As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen how the bill will fare in the Parliament and what impact it will have on the future of Indian democracy.
