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President's rule imposed on Goa

Goa was brought under President's rule tonight, bringing to an end the year-long political instability in the tiny west coast state.

According to official sources in the Union home ministry, President K R Narayanan has dissolved the forty-member state assembly and ordered fresh elections.

The decision to impose central rule under Article 356 of the Constitution was taken at an emergency meeting of the Union Cabinet last night chaired by Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani in the absence of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is in the Caribbean.

Advani called on the President tonight to apprise him of the Cabinet's decision and the political situation in the state.

The Cabinet considered the report of Governor J F R Jacob recommending dissolution of the assembly to prevent horse-trading and to ensure a stable government.

In the present circumstances, no political party is in a position to provide a viable administration in the state, the governor's report said.

In fact, all parties in the state had demanded the imposition of President's rule to end the political uncertainty.

UNI

The Goa state page

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