M.K. Stalin criticises decision to dissolve Centre-State Relations Committee

DMK President M.K. Stalin has strongly criticised the State Government's decision to dissolve the high-level committee on Centre-State relations. According to a report by The Hindu, Stalin expressed deep disappointment regarding this matter on Monday, 9 November, 2026. The committee was expected to submit its final report by May 2027, but the government's decision has brought its work to a standstill.

Stalin wrote to the committee's chairman, Justice Kurian Joseph, and its member, K. Ashok Vardhan Shetty, regarding this matter. In his letter, he explicitly stated that the State Government's decision to dissolve the committee is unacceptable. This decision was taken particularly when the first part of the committee's report was sparking constructive discussions across the country and the research for the second part was nearing completion.

According to Stalin, the Justice Kurian committee could have achieved a distinct identity by making a significant contribution to discussions aimed at enriching federalism in the country. Referring to the Rajamannar Committee, he said that just as the Rajamannar Committee became a milestone in the history of states' autonomy, the Justice Kurian committee could have achieved a similar feat. He further added that this report could have proven that Tamil Nadu has fought not just for its own rights, but for the rights of all states in India.

The argument provided by the government—that the mandate of this high-level committee overlaps or is consistent with the mandate of the Tamil Nadu State Law Commission formed in August 2026—was deemed unacceptable by Stalin. He alleged that the differences between the two were artificially created to remove the high-level committee. According to Stalin, the government's decision has resulted in the wastage of intellectual property, experience, and research accumulated on this subject.

Providing a comparative example while arguing against the dissolution of the committee, Stalin asked whether a team of doctors performing surgery could be replaced merely because the hospital management changed. He further stated that while the government can dissolve the committee, it cannot erase its ideas and contributions.

Emphasising this point, Stalin said that since this committee was formed during his tenure as Chief Minister, he could vouch for the integrity and dedication of its members. Meanwhile, Udhayanidhi also criticised the government for drawing TVK into this, alleging that it attempted to destroy the high-level committee on Centre-State relations by trying to 'neutralise' it.

In this entire controversy, questions regarding changes in Tamil Nadu's political structure and federalism have once again come to the centre of discussion. Stalin's letter makes it clear that the research conducted during the committee's tenure and the issues raised by it held a significant place in the state's political and legal history, which have now been stalled due to the government's decision.

The research work undertaken by this committee, under the leadership of Justice Kurian Joseph, was based on the balance of states' rights and relations with the Centre. The government's decision is likely to impact dialogues on this subject, as the second part of the committee's work was yet to be completed.