In a significant move ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu state assembly elections, Chief Minister M K Stalin has announced the formation of a high-level committee to review the autonomy of the state and recommend measures for enhancing it. The committee, which will be headed by former Supreme Court judge Kurian Joseph, also includes key members such as former IAS officer Ashok Vardhan Shetty and economist M Naganathan. The decision to form the committee reflects the DMK’s long-standing commitment to securing greater powers for Tamil Nadu within the Indian union.

The announcement was made in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, where Stalin emphasized that the committee's work will focus on protecting the state's rightful entitlements and improving the relationship between the Union and state governments. This is not the first time that the DMK has pushed for a greater degree of autonomy for the state. In fact, it has been a core ideological issue for the party for decades.

The Historical Context of DMK's Autonomy Demand

The demand for state autonomy has deep roots in the history of the DMK, particularly under its founder CN Annadurai. Annadurai, during his time, advocated strongly for greater state powers, stating in his 1962 Rajya Sabha speech that he was proud of his Dravidian heritage and believed that the Dravidians had something distinct to contribute to the nation. While he paused on his demand for a separate state after the 1962 Chinese aggression, Annadurai's vision for Tamil Nadu's autonomy has continued to influence the party's policies.

The first formal push for state autonomy came in 1969 when M Karunanidhi, Stalin’s father and then-chief minister, established a committee headed by Justice PV Rajamannar to study centre-state relations. The committee's report, submitted in 1971, recommended the formation of an Inter-State Council to address these concerns. In 1974, the DMK passed a resolution in the Assembly calling for greater autonomy, further cementing its stance on the issue.

Evolution of the Demand for Autonomy

Since 1996, when the DMK became part of the Union governments under both the BJP and Congress, the party's demand for autonomy has mellowed somewhat. However, the core belief in the need for greater state control over governance remains. Stalin’s latest move to form a committee is part of his ongoing political commitment to autonomy, which was also highlighted in his party’s 2021 election manifesto.

In the manifesto, Stalin reaffirmed the demand to shift education from the Concurrent List to the State List, allowing Tamil Nadu to have greater control over educational policies. This push for autonomy is not just political rhetoric but a deeply rooted ideological stance within the DMK, dating back to the time of its founding.

Panels Formed to Study Centre-State Relations

In recent years, multiple commissions have been set up to examine centre-state relations and the balance of power between the Union and states. For instance, in 1983, the Sarkaria Commission was formed to assess centre-state relations, followed by the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution under Justice M N Venkatachaliah in 2000. In 2007, the Justice M M Punchhi Commission also examined similar issues and proposed recommendations for improving governance.

The new committee announced by Stalin will build on the work of these earlier bodies. It will focus on reclaiming subjects that were originally under the exclusive jurisdiction of state governments. Stalin stated that this would involve reviewing governance policies and suggesting ways in which Tamil Nadu can take back control over key areas of governance and policy-making.

Conclusion: What’s at Stake?

With the 2026 state elections approaching, the formation of this committee signals that autonomy will continue to be a key issue in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. The DMK is making sure that its core ideology remains at the forefront of its electoral strategies. This move could shape the future of state rights in India, potentially setting a precedent for how other states might approach their relationship with the Union.

As the committee embarks on its task, Tamil Nadu’s political future will likely see more debates and discussions about centre-state relations, governance, and the role of state powers in India’s federal structure. The formation of this committee, and the eventual recommendations it makes, will be closely watched by political analysts, policymakers, and citizens alike.

In the coming months, Tamil Nadu's autonomy issue is expected to be a central theme in political discussions, as parties prepare for the 2026 elections. The outcome of this committee’s recommendations could influence the direction of not just Tamil Nadu's future governance, but also the broader political landscape in India.

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