So, measured across economic and social parameters, it is clear that gaps between India’s rich and poor states have only increased since 1960. It is true that all states have developed but contrary to expectations, the poorer states have developed slower than the richer states and hence the gap has widened.

If even after five decades of redistribution from rich to poor states, it has not helped close the gap, it is only right to ask if such redistribution should continue unabated and untied. Given that the poorer states account for two-thirds of all Lok Sabha seats, there will always be a temptation for the political class to continue to redistribute from richer to poorer states without any accountability. How long can this political pandering to the vote base of the poorer states with the resources of the richer states continue? What should the measure of success be for such redistribution? All these are legitimate questions and not against the “idea of India”. It is important that such questions are asked and answered openly than hiding behind a veil of false nationalism and unity.