M A I N   N E W S

President’s rule in Bihar for 8th time?

Patna, March 6
Bihar will come under President’s rule for the eighth time, if the Union Cabinet gives a go ahead to Governor Buta Singh’s recommendation.

Prior to this, President’s rule was imposed in Bihar on February 12, 1999 when Governor Sunder Singh Bhandari dismissed the Rabri Devi Government following “deteriorating law and order situation”.

The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government, however, revoked President’s rule within 26 days since the coalition did not have a majority in the Rajya Sabha. Later, Ms Rabri Devi was reinstalled as the Chief Minister of the state.

The state had witnessed President’s rule for a brief period — one week — in 1995 awaiting the results of the Assembly elections held during the Chief Ministership of Mr Laloo Prasad.

On June 29, 1968, Bihar was first put under President’s rule for a record 243 days during the regime of Mr Bhola Paswan Shastri, who was the Chief Minister and Mr Nityanand Kanoongo the Governor.

Mid-term polls were held and Sardar Harihar Singh became the ninth Chief Minister of the state.

Following political ups and downs the government was reduced to a minority and President's rule imposed on July 4, 1969. The state remained under President’s rule for 227 days as the rule continued till February 16, 1970.

At that time also, Mr Bhola Paswan Shastri was the Chief Minister and Mr Kanoongo the Governor.

Following a split in the political parties which affected the government of Mr Shashtri, President’s rule was again imposed on January 9, 1972 which continued till March 19, 1972. Mr Deokant Barua was the Governor of the state. Mr Kedar Pandey became the 14th Chief Minister of the state after the President’s rule was revoked.

Bihar witnessed President’s rule for the fourth time when the Janata Party came to power under the Prime Ministership of the Morarji Desai, who imposed President’s rule on April 30, 1977 in all Congress-governed states.

Dr Jagannath Mishra was the Chief Minister and Mr Jagannath Kaushal was Governor of Bihar when President rule was imposed for the fourth time which continued till June 24, 1977. After the Assembly elections Mr Karpoori Thakur became the Chief Minister of the state.

When Ms Indira Gandhi came to power at the Centre, she imposed President’s rule in all Janata Party-governed states and Bihar was among them. Governor Ramsundar Das was dismissed and Central rule was imposed on February 17, 1980 for the fifth time which continued till June 8. Later, mid term polls were held and Dr Jagannath Mishra came back to power as the Chief Minister.

President’s rule was imposed for the sixth time during the Chief Ministership of Mr Laloo Prasad on March 28, 1995 as results of the state Assembly elections were not declared. President’s rule was revoked on April 4, 1995 after declaration of the election results.

The state witnessed President’s rule for the seventh time during the regime of Ms Rabri Devi which was dismissed following poor law and order and President’s rule was imposed on February 12, 1999 which was revoked after 26 days. — UNI