GS Question

India is a diverse country with a federal structure, wherein power is shared between the central government and the states. The national political parties in India, such as the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), generally advocate for centralisation of power where the authority resides predominantly with the central government. On the other hand, the regional parties, like the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), emphasize state autonomy and devolution of power to the states.

The national political parties' inclination towards centralisation stems from the pursuit of national unity, uniformity, and efficient governance. They argue that a strong central government can better formulate and implement policies that benefit the entire country as a whole. They believe that by centralising power, they can ensure uniformity in decision-making, administration, and resource allocation across all states. This approach aims to maintain national harmony, prevent fragmentation, and address regional disparities in the country.

On the other hand, regional parties advocate for greater state autonomy due to the diversity and regional aspirations in India. They argue that different states have unique socio-cultural, linguistic, and economic characteristics that require tailor-made policies and governance approaches. Regional parties argue that state autonomy and decentralisation can better address the specific needs, aspirations, and grievances of each state. They believe that states can govern themselves more effectively and connect with the local population to address their concerns. Moreover, regional parties often champion regional identities and strive to preserve and promote the cultural diversity of their respective states.

The tension between centralisation and state autonomy presents an ongoing challenge in Indian politics. It is crucial to strike a balance that ensures both national unity and regional aspirations are respected. While national political parties advocate for centralisation to maintain uniformity and govern efficiently, regional parties emphasize state autonomy to address diversity and regional disparities. The challenge lies in finding a middle ground where powers are decentralised to states, allowing for local decision-making, while maintaining sufficient central oversight to ensure national cohesion and harmony.