President's Rule
The President's Rule(or State Emergency)refers to the imposition ofArticle 356(1)of the Constitution of India. The article refers to thesuspension of a state governmentwhich places the state under thedirect control of the central government of IndiawithGovernor as its constitutional head.The Election Commission is responsible for deciding when fresh elections will be held, which may not be withinsix months.The Governor assumes the executive functions of the State, and the President acts based on the Governor's report (or otherwise, if he deems the situation warrants it).Why is it implemented?Article 356 of the Constitution of India gives power to the President if certain conditions are not satisfied by the state governmentIf a state is unable to find a leader who can be appointed as its Chief Minister within the time prescribed by the Governor.If the state's coalition government fails, with the Chief Minister not having Majority support to rule.If the state's elections are postponed for unavoidable reasons like war, natural disasters or epidemics.If the state is unable to comply with the constitutional norms and experiencing political unrest.Loss of majority for the ruling party in the Assembly, often through a vote of no-confidence.Duration of the President's RuleIn normal conditions, thePresident’s Rule is imposed forsix months. This period can be extended up tothree years.President's Rule can berevoked at any timeby the President without the approval of the Parliament.But according to the44th Amendment Act of 1978, President's rule can only be extended over a year every 6 monthswith the approval of both housesof Parliament; if only the following conditions are met:The Election Commission certifies that the conduct of general elections to the State Assembly cannot take place.There is already aNational Emergencythroughout India or in the whole or any part of the state.The Indian state which has been under President's rule the most times isManipur (11 times). ButJammu & Kashmirhas spent the most time cumulatively under direct Central control, a total of over12 years(more than 4,600 days).
The statistics of President's rule over the Indian states is as follows(4)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| March 23, 1956 | October 31, 1956(222 days)November 1, 1956– April 5, 1957(155 days; General election)July 31, 1959–February 22, 1960(206 days)September 10, 1964– 6 March 1967(2 years, 177 days)August 4, 1970– October 3, 1970(60 days)December 5, 1979 – January 25, 1980(51 days)October 21, 1981 – December 28, 1981(68 days)March 17, 1982 – May 23, 1982(67 days)The longest term of President's Rule in Kerala lasted for2 years and 177 days(September 10, 1964 – March 6, 1967).📝SideNotes:First Indian Ministry that was dismissed as per President's Rule–EMS Ministry |
| The presidential rule was enforced for the first time in Kerala | 1956 |
| How many times Kerala came under presidential rule | 7 |
| The presidential rule was enforced for the last time in Kerala | 1982 |