: The Union Cabinet on Friday recommended dissolution of the Andhra Pradesh state Assembly and extension of President’s rule beyond April 30.
The decision of the Cabinet is a mere technicality as Central rule in a state expires automatically if it is not ratified by Parliament within a period of two months. The dissolution of the Assembly paves way for extension of President’s rule.
Since the general election process is underway and another three phases of Lok Sabha polls are due, it was not feasible for the government to take the Parliament route to obtain the ratification.
Andhra Pradesh was placed under Central rule on March 1 after the resignation of the then Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy in protest against the Union Government’s decision to bifurcate the state.
Elections to the 42 Lok Sabha constituencies as well to the two State assemblies are being held simultaneously in two phases-April 30 and May 7. Technically, it is the last general election as well the Assembly election under a united Andhra Pradesh state as the new states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh would be born on June 2.
According to official sources, the Union Cabinet at its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, recommended to the President the dissolution of the Assembly and extension of the Central rule.
The decision came following a report of Andhra Pradesh Governor E. S. L. Narasimhan who appraised the Centre of the prevailing situation in the state. Though fresh election is held in the State, after the Supreme Court judgement on the Bommai case, the Central rule has to be ratified by new Parliament. As per the apex court judgement, any proclamation under Article 356 imposing Central rule needs to be ratified by Parliament within two months.
