It wasn’t just a policy meeting — it felt like a long-overdue heart-to-heart.
At the recent NITI Aayog gathering, opposition Chief Ministers didn't come to clash. They came with clarity — and a call for something the Constitution promised long ago but often feels forgotten: true cooperative federalism.
With calm voices and sharp words, they offered Delhi not defiance, but dialogue.
🧩 “We’re Not Competitors, We’re Co-Creators”
Chief Ministers reminded the Centre that they aren’t regional roadblocks — they’re architects in their own right. Each one is entrusted with the hopes and hardships of millions. They’re not looking for orders from the top — they’re asking for a seat at the table where real decisions are made.
🌏 One Nation, Many Realities
“What works in Delhi might not work in Dibrugarh,” one CM said. India isn’t a single shade — it’s a kaleidoscope of languages, cultures, climates, and crises. So why force every state into the same mould?
Their message was simple: policies must be flexible, not factory-made. Let states innovate based on what their people need.
🗣️ Don’t Just Call Us — Actually Hear Us
It’s one thing to be invited to the room. It’s another to be truly heard. The CMs said they’re tired of symbolic summits and performative dialogues. “We’re not here to applaud PowerPoint slides,” one leader quipped. “We want to be co-authors — not just signatories.”
💸 Funding Shouldn’t Play Favourites
There was clear frustration over how central funds are distributed. The Opposition claimed there's a pattern — states aligned with the ruling party get a smoother flow of money. Others are left waiting.
Development, they said, should never depend on the party you vote for. “Governance must be neutral — like justice,” a CM noted.
🧭 No More Remote Control Governance
Many leaders said they feel like they’re running their states under constant supervision — not autonomy. They want to make choices based on local needs, not distant checklists. “We know our people,” one CM said. “Trust us to serve them.”
🧠 NITI Aayog Was Supposed to Be Different
When the Planning Commission was scrapped and NITI Aayog came in, it was pitched as a fresh start — a modern platform where the Centre and States could brainstorm and build, together.
But now, many CMs feel it’s slipping back into old habits: top-down orders dressed up as collaboration. “Let’s not let NITI become just another name for ‘New Instructions To Implement,’” one CM remarked.
📜 Federalism Isn’t a Favour — It’s a Foundation
They weren’t asking for special treatment. They were asking for what’s already written in the rulebook. The Constitution envisioned a federal India — not a centralised command center. Respecting that balance isn’t charity — it’s duty.
🤝 “Let’s Build, Not Battle”
Despite their pointed feedback, the Chief Ministers weren’t spoiling for a fight. Their tone was respectful, even hopeful. What they asked for was a better working relationship — one rooted in respect, trust, and teamwork.
“This isn’t about opposition or ruling party,” one CM summed up. “It’s about the India we all serve. Let’s get back to building it, together.”
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