On February 8, Kerala’s Left Democratic Front (LDF) and Tamil Nadu’s Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) organized protests in Delhi, joining their neighboring southern state of Karnataka in expressing their discontent with the BJP-led Centre. The protests were aimed at highlighting the alleged discrimination and neglect in the allocation of funds.
Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, is spearheading the LDF protest in Delhi. On Thursday, he expressed, “Our purpose is to voice a resolute protest and safeguard India’s federal structure. Today marks the commencement of a united struggle that will pave the way for equitable treatment of all states. Additionally, this fight aims to uphold a harmonious Centre-State relationship. The 8th of February will undoubtedly be a momentous day in India’s history.”
The protest in the national capital, which began at 11 am, is being joined by the Left Front ministers, parliamentarians, and legislators. They are expressing their discontent over certain issues. Simultaneously, DMK MPs from Tamil Nadu are staging a protest in front of the Gandhi statue in the Parliament premises. Their protest is focused on the financial neglect faced by the southern state. MK Stalin, in a letter to Pinarayi Vijayan, has expressed his full support towards the legal measures taken by the Kerala government against the central government. He has also mentioned that the DMK will actively participate in the agitation and its leaders will be wearing black clothes. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, emphasizing the importance of cooperative federalism and state autonomy, has stated that their voice will not be silenced until these goals are achieved. On the other hand, the Karnataka government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar, has taken to the streets in New Delhi. They are alleging that the BJP-ruled central government is withholding funds and deliberately reducing the state’s share of tax revenue. Shivakumar has highlighted that Karnataka ranks second in Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection and is the largest contributor to the country’s revenue. Despite seeking drought relief funds from the Centre, the Karnataka government has not received any financial assistance.
The demonstrations conducted by the state governments in the southern region aim to emphasize the perceived “unfairness” in the distribution of tax revenue and financial assistance that they have experienced in recent years.
Reason behind the protest?
The dispute between the central and southern regions regarding the distribution of funds to states has intensified following the presentation of the Interim Budget by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. The ongoing parliamentary session has witnessed numerous debates between the central government and the opposition on this matter. Additionally, Sitharaman and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from the Congress party engaged in a heated argument over the funds allocation issue in Parliament.
Chowdhury asserted that non-BJP states, particularly in South India, were being unfairly denied their financial entitlements, including those pertaining to GST (Goods and Services Tax) compensation.
In response, Sitharaman defended herself by stating that the allocation of funds to states is carried out in accordance with the recommendations of the Finance Commission, and that she has no authority to exercise discretion in the distribution of tax revenues.
The BJP initiates its own protest.
In an effort to assert their presence, the BJP organized a demonstration in Bengaluru to draw attention to the perceived shortcomings of the Congress government in Karnataka. Led by BY Vijayendra, the state president of the BJP, legislators and party leaders staged a sit-in protest in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue near Vidhana Soudha, the State Legislature and Secretariat of Karnataka. Displaying placards, the protesters voiced their disapproval of the Congress government’s alleged failure to provide assistance to drought-affected farmers and incentives to milk producers.