Union Government broached for the suspension of Andhra Pradesh assembly and extension of the President's rule there beyond April 30 on Friday, circumventing the need for summoning a special session of Parliament to endorse central rule in the state.
The Union Cabinet at its emergency meeting, presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, suggested the President regarding the suspension of the assembly and extension of the central rule, sources informed. The resolution came following a report of Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan who apprised the Centre of the existing condition in the state.
The move could help the union government gain two more months before approaching Parliament for the mandatory ratification of President's rule in Andhra Pradesh. Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh are being held along with the Lok Sabha polls.
Sources reasoned since three more phases of voting in the nine-phased Lok Sabha elections are yet to be concluded; it is not easy to convene Parliament just for the ratification of the President's rule as the majority of the MPs are busy in electioneering.
Any decree under Article 356 commanding central rule requires to be ratified by Parliament within two months. Official sources pointed to a stipulation in the Constitution which clearly indicates "any such Proclamation may be revoked or varied by a subsequent Proclamation".
Andhra Pradesh was under President's rule since March 1 this year after N Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned as Chief Minister following Parliament's acceptance of division of the state to create Telangana state.
