Madhuswamy's jibe on Centre triggers debate

Remarks by Minor Irrigation Minister J C Madhuswamy on the Central government “infringing” on the powers of the state governments triggered a debate on social media on Sunday.

While a few demanded that he be sacked from the government, others hailed the minister for raising valid points on the federal structure of governance.

Also read: Madhuswamy critical of Union govt’s ‘dictatorial’ approach

Poll-bound Tamil Nadu’s DMK party leader Kanimozhi shared an article on his remarks to highlight even BJP-ruled states were criticising the Centre.

“The Union Government is encroaching upon subjects in state and concurrent lists of the Constitution, leaving states at a disadvantage’. This was said by Madhuswamy, a minister in Karnataka’s BJP Government,” she tweeted.

Former IAS officer Sasikanth Senthil commended the minister for speaking his mind. “Madhuswamy ji you spoke your mind. I hope the rest who are mute speak too,” he said in a tweet.

Twitter user Jayateerth Nadagouda observed that criticising the Centre could prove detrimental to Madhuswamy.

“Last time Yatnal questioned Union government on the non release of funds for floods, he was served with (a) show cause notice. Sooner or later Mr Madhuswamy will get the same,” he said.

Others, like Rakesh Shetty, were not amused. Tagging handles of senior BJP functionaries, he tweeted: “Karnataka’s Minister Madhuswamy calls Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government dictatorial. Says Central government is intervening in state matters. Is it a free Pass for anyone to criticize Modi-ji?”, he asked.

Another user Upasana Singh demanded that Madhuswamy be sacked. “Karnataka BJP Minister JC Madhuswamy accused Central Government of interfering in state’s internal affairs. BJP must sack him and let him join Congress. No need for people like him who wants to enjoy ministry and at the same time want to abuse BJP,” she tweeted.

Madhuswamy, on Saturday, had highlighted how policies of the Central government were threatening the federal structure of the government and had urged Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya to raise the issue in Parliament.