Attack on Federalism: Kerala CM on Bills to Remove Jailed PM, CMs
In a strongly-worded statement, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has condemned the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, 2025, which was recently tabled in the Parliament. According to the Chief Minister, the bill is a blatant attack on federalism and the rights of states, and seeks to destabilize non-BJP governments by weaponizing central agencies and arresting opponents on false charges.
The bill, which is currently pending in the Parliament, seeks to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers who are arrested or detained for a period of at least 30 days. Vijayan, who is also the head of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, has strongly opposed the bill, alleging that it is a desperate attempt by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to silence its political opponents and undermine the democratic institutions of the country.
In a statement issued by his office, Vijayan stated that the bill is a clear violation of the Constitution, which enshrines the principle of federalism and the rights of states. He also accused the BJP-led government at the Centre of using its majority in the Parliament to push through the bill, despite opposition from other parties and the people of the country.
Vijayan’s criticism of the bill comes in the wake of a series of high-profile arrests and detentions of opposition leaders and politicians in different parts of the country. In recent months, several top leaders of the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have been arrested or detained by the police on charges of corruption, sedition, and other crimes.
The Chief Minister’s criticism of the bill has been widely echoed by other opposition parties, which have accused the BJP-led government of using its power to silence its political opponents and undermine the democratic institutions of the country. The Congress, the NCP, and the TMC have all come out strongly against the bill, with their leaders accusing the government of attempting to muzzle the opposition and undermine the electoral process.
The BJP, on the other hand, has defended the bill, claiming that it is necessary to prevent political leaders from using their positions to evade arrest and continue their political activities while under detention. The party has also claimed that the bill is a necessary measure to prevent political instability and ensure the stability of the government.
Despite the Opposition’s criticism, the bill is likely to be passed by the Parliament, given the BJP’s majority in the House. The bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha, and it is expected to be taken up by the Rajya Sabha in the coming days.
The attack on federalism and the rights of states, as described by Vijayan, is a clear example of the growing authoritarianism in the country. The bill, which seeks to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers who are arrested or detained for a period of at least 30 days, is a clear violation of the Constitution and the principles of democracy.
The bill is also a clear example of the BJP’s attempt to establish a totalitarian regime in the country, where the Opposition is muzzled and the power of the state is used to silence its critics. The bill, if passed, would be a major blow to the democratic institutions of the country, and would set a dangerous precedent for the future of democracy in India.
In conclusion, the attack on federalism and the rights of states, as described by Kerala Chief Minister Pinaraisy Vijayan, is a clear example of the growing authoritarianism in the country. The bill, which seeks to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers who are arrested or detained for a period of at least 30 days, is a clear violation of the Constitution and the principles of democracy. The Opposition parties must come together to oppose this bill and defend the democratic institutions of the country.
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