Tamil Nadu Government Disbands High-Level Committee on Union-State Relations
Chief Minister Joseph Vijay dissolved a committee studying state autonomy, transferring its records to the State Law Commission amid condemnation from opposition parties.
The Government of Tamil Nadu, led by Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, disbanded the High-Level Committee on Union–State Relations on November 6, 2026. Originally established in April 2025 under former Chief Minister MK Stalin, the three-member expert panel led by Justice Kurian Joseph was tasked with examining state autonomy, constitutional rights, and the limits of gubernatorial authority.
The government justified the dissolution by stating the committee's functions overlapped significantly with the Tamil Nadu State Law Commission. Law Minister C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar defended the move, arguing the commission offers greater institutional competence and permanence. The government has ordered the transfer of all committee records to the State Law Commission.
Opposition leaders and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) condemned the decision as a betrayal of state rights. DMK President M.K. Stalin and opposition leader Udhayanidhi Stalin accused the administration of acting out of political vendetta. Similarly, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi president MH Jawahirullah described the move as a setback to federalism, noting that the committee's February 2026 report had recommended returning education to the State List and placing constitutional limits on the Governor's powers.
