Cabinet recommends President's rule in Goa

The Union Cabinet on Friday recommended imposition of President's rule in Goa.

The decision was taken at a hurriedly convened meeting in New Delhi just hours after the Paratapsinh Rane-led Congress government won a confidence vote in the state assembly.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said the Cabinet has recommended to the President that the state be brought under Central rule under Article 356 of the Constitution.

Patil said the government is not happy with what happened in the assembly on Friday and has taken suo motu action without waiting for governor's report.

"What has happened in the assembly today is not acceptable to us. It is not proper to have one member not to vote. This is exactly what had been done by the previous [Bharatiya Janata Party) government," he said.

The Pratapsinh Rane-led Congress government in Goa won a controversial trust vote earlier in the day.

The House voted 17-16 in the government's favour, with Speaker Francisco Sardinha casting his vote after there was a tie.

United Goans Democratic Party legislator Mathany Saldhana was restrained from voting by the speaker by passing an ad-interim order.

Also see:
Rane govt wins confidence vote in Goa
BJP wants Rane govt dismissed