Published Paper Details:

The Indian federalism is unique in character. It is based on centreplate formation. It is not outcome of any agreement but formed for the administrative convenience. The most unfortunate part was that the reorganisation of states was made on the lingual basis due to lingual movement. Although the leadership had the vision to reorganise the states on administrative and economic basis but they have to down before the strong lingual movement of that time. This arrangement has created lots of challenges before Indian federation which are still going on. The most striking feature of this arrangement is sharp rise of communal and lingual regionalism in Indian politics which further accelerated the separatist tendencies among the Indian states. It has created regional and economic imbalances in Indian society. Some areas are totally neglected due to this reorganisation of the states. The centre-state relations in Indian federation have always been in dark shadows due to the non-cooperation between centre and states. The role of governor and article 356 has diminished federalism sentiments. The constitutional head of the state, the governor played negative role to intervene and toppling of elected governments in the states. The steep rise of regionalism in Indian politics from early 90s has also disturbed the mathematics of federalism in India. The regional parties have dominant role not only in their state politics but have big presence in national politics and they have started to pressurise and blackmail the central government for the petty interest of their states. It is time to review Indian federation to make it more cooperative and successful. The central government now cannot ignore regional sentiments and suppress their voice due to increase role of regional parties in national politics. The states must also come out from their state interest and think about the nation to make Indian federalism more cooperative.