Southern India’s frustration boiled over Wednesday as Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara accused the Union government of favoring northern states in GST shares and mega-projects. Backing CM Siddaramaiah’s solidarity with Tamil Nadu’s MK Stalin on federalism, Parameshwara voiced the collective angst to Bengaluru reporters.
‘We deliver top GST revenues—second only to one—yet infrastructure bonanzas elude us,’ he said. ‘Northern states snag the headlines; south gets short shrift. Time for the Centre to heed our unified demand for equity.’
Replying to debt critiques leveled at the Congress regime, Parameshwara brandished stats. ‘Locked within 25% fiscal guardrails, our borrowings trail southern rivals. Maharashtra’s 95 lakh crore monster debt? That’s the real cautionary tale. Discipline defines us.’
Rumors of discord between Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar met short shrift. The latter’s dinner for party brass? ‘Democratic ritual since ’52 elections—nothing amiss. A smart play for unity and sobriety.’
Parameshwara’s critique ignites debate on India’s federal fault lines, where economic powerhouses in the south feel starved of due recognition. With GST councils and budgets looming, this north-south tussle could dictate policy pivots, compelling a hard look at devolution formulas to sustain national cohesion amid regional aspirations.