The Central government on Tuesday decided to impose President's Rule in Karnataka, accepting Governor Rameshwar Thakur's recommendation after Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy resigned lacking the required number to prove his majority in the state assembly.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images], sources said.

Thakur had on Monday recommended imposition of President's Rule and dissolution of the state assembly soon after Kumaraswamy resigned on being told by the Governor that he did not have the required numbers to win a trial of strength on the floor of the House following withdrawal of support by BJP to his government.

The ruling JDS-BJP alliance broke up after Kumaraswamy refused to transfer chief ministership to BJP under a power-sharing accord reached 20 months ago. Sections in the two parties had made last-minute attempts to revive their alliance, but the plan did not work.

Kumaraswamy had wanted an opportunity for a floor test, but the Governor bluntly told him that he did not have the legislative arithmetic in his favour and he better step down.