Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, tabled Part I of the High-Level Committee report on Union-State Relations in the Legislative Assembly. The committee, led by retired Justice Kurian Joseph and members K. Ashok Vardhan Shetty and M. Naganathan, submitted the report on February 16. Mr. Stalin said, “Today is the day we take the initiative to amend the Constitution to ensure that State governments are vested with all necessary powers.” He added, “If we cannot do it, who else can,” while members of the DMK and allies applauded. Mr. Stalin accused the BJP-led Union government of holding and using powers in an autocratic way, preventing states from functioning freely. “State governments are looking to the Union for everything. How long can we depend on them? This should change,” he said. He urged all political parties to support the report’s aim for “State autonomy, in which all languages, races, religions, and cultures are allowed to live with rights and aspirations.” The Chief Minister also said the Union government is moving subjects from the State List to the Concurrent List, which reduces states’ rights. He said states are forced to fight for even basic rights due to these actions. Mr. Stalin criticized the reduction of funds shared with wealthier states, saying this ignores their contribution. He emphasized that autonomy and true federalism are critical not just for Tamil Nadu’s progress but for India’s pluralistic unity. “Federalism is the foundation of India’s pluralistic character,” he said. The report suggests legal steps to decentralize power without weakening the Union. The Chief Minister called state autonomy “the only viable path” amid efforts by the BJP government to control states through Governors, language imposition, withholding funds, and delimitation. In his foreword, Mr. Stalin wrote, “Federalism, in its true spirit, is not a concession to the States but a safeguard for the nation; not an obstacle to unity but its guarantee.” He hoped the report would engage all stakeholders and shape a stronger, balanced Union-State relationship.