President's rule imposed in Manipur

Why in discussion?

• President's rule was imposed in Manipur under Article 356 of the Constitution.

Main reasons:

• Resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh: After the fall of the government, no party could prove majority.
• Political instability: There was a continuous political crisis in the state and it was not possible to form a stable government.
• Failure of constitutional mechanism: The assembly in the state was not in a position to work and the smooth functioning of the government was disrupted.
• Law and order problem: For the last few months, there was a situation of ethnic violence and conflict in Manipur, which weakened the administrative system.
• Governor's recommendation: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla sent a report to the President expressing his inability to run the state government according to the Constitution, after which this decision was taken.

President's Rule under Article 356:

• Article 356 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Central Government to impose President's rule in a state if the constitutional machinery fails.
• It is also called "failure of constitutional machinery in the state".
• President's rule is imposed when:
  • The Governor reports to the President that the state government is not functioning according to the Constitution.
  • The Central Government feels that the constitutional machinery has failed in the state and President's rule is necessary there.
  • The law and order in the state deteriorates completely and the government is unable to function smoothly.
  • When no party is able to prove majority in the Legislative Assembly.

Effects of imposition of President's rule:

• The legislative and executive powers of the state are transferred to the Parliament and the Central Government.
• The state assembly can be dissolved or suspended.
• The Governor gets the right to run the administration of the state on behalf of the central government.
• President's rule is imposed for a maximum of 6 months, but it can be extended to three years with the approval of the Parliament.

Important things related to President's rule:

• First time President's rule was imposed in Punjab (1951).
• Most President's rule in Uttar Pradesh (10+ times).
• To protect the central government from misuse of Article 356, the Supreme Court has given some guidelines in the S.R. Bommai case in 1994.