Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah in his Independence Day address on Thursday urged the Union government to release the share of funds rightfully due to the states and meet its democratic obligations.

Siddaramaiah, while addressing packed stands at the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground in Bengaluru to mark the 78th Independence Day, said that the Constitution mandates a cooperative relationship between the states and the Centre.

"The Constitution mandates a cooperative relationship between the Centre and states, but recent deviations by the central government threaten this balance, leading to unfair allocation of resources,” he said, apparently alluding to the strained relations between the Centre and states, especially those ruled by the Opposition parties, when it comes to allocation of funds.

“States are being forced to seek legal recourse to obtain their rightful financial share from the Centre. The central government must release adequate grants to ensure balanced development across the nation,” he said.

The state government had in March dragged the central government to the Supreme Court, seeking the release of a draught relief financial package that it had repeatedly requested over several months.

The Karnataka government had moved the apex court under Article 32 of the Constitution, which provides states the right to seek judicial intervention in ensuring fundamental rights. It had sought ₹18,171 crore after declaring 223 of 236 taluks as drought-hit.

"The people have historically rejected backdoor political manoeuvres that ignore their mandate. It's imperative that all political parties respect the principles of democracy and the will of the electorate,” Siddaramaiah said.

“We emphasise the importance of upholding the principles of democracy, as envisioned by Dr Ambedkar, by resisting divisive forces and ensuring social democracy alongside political democracy."