Latest news with #Article356
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Centre to seek six-month extension of President's Rule in Manipur; Amit Shah to table resolution in RS today
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to move a resolution in the Rajya Sabha on Friday to extend President's Rule in Manipur for an additional six months starting August 13, 2025, according to media reports. The move comes at a time when political pressure is mounting from within the NDA's own ranks to restore democratic governance in the conflict-hit state. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science Data Science Technology CXO Artificial Intelligence Leadership others Public Policy Cybersecurity Others MBA Product Management healthcare Degree Operations Management Healthcare Data Analytics Project Management Finance Management Digital Marketing Design Thinking PGDM MCA Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK DABS India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIT Madras CERT-IITM Advanced Cert Prog in AI and ML India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months E&ICT Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati CERT-IITG Postgraduate Cert in AI and ML India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months E&ICT Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati CERT-IITG Prof Cert in DS & BA with GenAI India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 30 Weeks IIM Kozhikode SEPO - IIMK-AI for Senior Executives India Starts on undefined Get Details President's Rule was initially imposed on February 13, 2025, shortly after former Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned from his post. His departure was largely driven by political turmoil within the ruling BJP, as several Meitei legislators revolted against his leadership. In the absence of any contender staking a claim to form the government, the Centre invoked Article 356. Despite the state assembly remaining in suspended animation—its tenure lasting until 2027—no attempt has since been made to reconstitute an elected government. Live Events Pushback from NDA's Own MLAs Since April, Meitei and Naga legislators of the BJP-led NDA, including both supporters and critics of Biren Singh, have been lobbying for the return of a 'popular government.' They argue that President's Rule has failed to restore normalcy or address the deeper political and ethnic grievances in the state. The move to extend Central rule is expected to further strain saffron party ties between the Centre and its alliance MLAs in Manipur. Meanwhile, Manipur continues to grapple with the aftermath of the violent ethnic conflict that erupted on May 3, 2023, between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities . Over 250 people have been killed, and more than 60,000 displaced. Though violence has subsided in recent months—particularly in the foothill areas that once saw some of the fiercest clashes—key issues remain unresolved. Security Operations ongoing On Thursday, security forces arrested eight militants from multiple proscribed outfits in operations across Imphal West, Bishnupur, Tengnoupal, and Chandel districts. Officials said that area domination exercises and coordinated search operations have been ongoing since the violence first broke out in 2023. Observers note that tensions had been brewing long before the conflict erupted. In 2022 and 2023, then-Chief Minister Biren Singh had launched large-scale eviction drives to clear alleged encroachments on reserve forest lands across both hill and valley districts. These actions sparked sharp resistance, particularly among Kuki and Zo groups, and are now widely viewed as one of the catalysts of the wider conflict.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
V-P, Guv refute claims of ‘political pressure'
1 2 Jaipur: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar Monday dismissed allegations made by former chief minister Ashok Gehlot that Constitutional institutions, including the office of the vice president and governor, are working under political pressure. Speaking at a gathering of former MLAs at the Constitution Club in Jaipur, Dhankhar described Gehlot as a long-time friend but expressed surprise over his recent comments in Jodhpur. "He is one of my oldest friends, but I was surprised when he suggested I work under pressure," Dhankhar said. "Let me say this clearly—I neither work under pressure, nor do I exert it. My conscience is free, my conduct is independent, and my commitment is solely to the Constitution," Dhankhar said. "If a governor doesn't function according to desires of the state govt, allegations begin to fly. Now, even the President and the Vice President have been brought into this line of fire. This is deeply concerning and requires serious reflection," he added. Calling such allegations "unfounded and inappropriate," Dhankhar cited the example of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. "I have closely seen Om Birla's conduct. A person who drinks the water of Rajasthan can never come under pressure. Our land breeds resilience," he said. Governor Haribhau Bagde, also present at the event, echoed Dhankhar's views. "The only pressure we recognise is that of the Constitution — nothing else. Be it the Vice President, govt, or the CM, we all work within the bounds of Constitutional responsibility. We do not and will not function under any external influence. The Constitution alone is our guiding force," Bagde asserted. Bagde spoke of the historical misuse of Article 356, which allows for President's Rule in states. "Between 1967 and 1979, Article 356 was used several times to dismiss elected state govts. But in the past 11 years, this misuse stopped—a sign of our democratic maturity," he said. He added that when governors discharge duties impartially, invocation of Article 356 becomes redundant. "Today, even in times of political unrest, Article 356 is used sparingly because institutions respect the spirit of democracy," he said.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Look in the mirror: CM's miffed reply to Gehlot
1 2 Jodhpur: In a fiery address at the Marwar International Auditorium here Thursday, chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma delivered a pointed critique that seemed to take aim at both the Congress party 's historical imposition of Emergency in 1975 and his predecessor, Ashok Gehlot . Speaking at a felicitation program for 'Gaurav Sainanis' commemorating the 50th anniversary of Emergency, Sharma said, "Look in the mirror and ask yourself. What all atrocities were committed against the people of this country? The public knows how low you can stoop for the sake of a chair." Sharma's remarks come in the wake of Gehlot's claims—a day earlier—about a conspiracy within BJP to oust the former from his position as the chief minister. Gehlot had advised Sharma to remain vigilant, suggesting that BJP was actively working to destabilise his govt. In response, Sharma dismissed Gehlot's concerns, asserting that he need not worry about him and instead should focus on own party Congress, which was getting weaker. Not stopping at this, Gehlot Thursday accused BJP of toppling state govts in Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra, questioning the party's sincerity to democratic principles while celebrating Constitution Day. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cervecería Nacional CFD: Calcula cuánto podrías ganar invirtiendo solo $100 Empieza a invertir Inscríbete ahora Undo Sharma strongly rebutted these allegations, pointing to Congress's historical record of invoking Article 356 to dismiss state govts. "How many elected state govts have you dismissed in this country?" the CM questioned, adding that "every mistake will have to be answered for." The CM also criticised the opposition's planned Samvidhan Bachao (Save the Constitution) rally in Jodhpur, questioning their credibility in protecting constitutional values. "How will they save the Constitution when they haven't even respected the one who created it?" Sharma asked.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
LOP's desperation over Congress losses on display: BJP
NEW DELHI: Top BJP functionaries including party president J P Nadda and Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday reacted vehemently to Congress member Rahul Gandhi's latest claim questioning the Maharashtra assembly polls, saying that the leader of opposition in Lok Sabha was reflecting his desperation after his party's losses and the looming one in Bihar assembly polls. "Rahul Gandhi's latest article is a blueprint for manufacturing fake narratives, owing to his sadness and desperation of losing election after election," said Nadda in response to Gandhi's article which appeared in a national daily on Saturday. Citing factors that "doomed" Congress in recent polls, Nadda said Congress gets defeated election after election due to his (Rahul Gandhi's) antics. "Instead of introspecting, he cooks up bizarre conspiracies and cries rigging. Ignores all facts and data. Defames institutions with zero proof and hopes for headlines over facts," the BJP president said in a post on X. Nadda said despite being exposed time and again, Rahul shamelessly keeps peddling lies. "And, he is doing this because a defeat in Bihar is certain," he said adding that democracy doesn't need drama but truth. Pradhan said Rahul Gandhi's post on Maharashtra elections is nothing more than a predictable script-lose elections, discredit institutions, fabricate conspiracies, and portray himself as a victim of an imaginary system. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 신차장기렌트 첫달 렌트료 전액지원해드립니다. 신차장기렌트센터 더 알아보기 Undo "But India's democracy is far stronger than the insecurities of a dynast who refuses to accept repeated electoral verdicts," Pradhan, a prominent OBC face of BJP, said. He said it there's any rigging Rahul should be worried about, it's the kind his own party mastered for decades-from Emergency to misusing Article 356 over 90 times to dismiss opposition govts. "Let's not forget, this is the same Rahul Gandhi who falsely claimed in Cambridge that Indian democracy is 'dead', yet participates in elections, campaigns freely, and blames EVMs only when he loses," the senior BJP functionary said.
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
How is President's Rule imposed?
The story so far: A delegation of 10 MLAs from the Manipur Assembly met the Governor of the State and pressed for the formation of a viable government in Manipur that has been under President's Rule since February 2025. What is President's Rule? Article 356 is invoked to impose President's Rule in a State after removing the State government. While there are duties cast on federal governments in the U.S. and Australia to protect the States, their constitutions do not have any provision for removing State governments. Under Article 356, the President (central government) may take over the governance of a State when it cannot be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. The President can make such a proclamation based on a receipt of report from the Governor of a State or otherwise. The latter situation may arise under Article 365 due to failure of a State to comply with or give effect to any directions of the Union government. The proclamation of President's Rule must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within two months from the date of its issue by a simple majority. Once approved by Parliament, the President's Rule continues for six months, from the date of proclamation, unless revoked earlier. It can be extended for a further period of six months at a time by an approval of both the Houses of Parliament by a simple majority. The President's Rule cannot extend beyond a period of three years in total. What has been the history? Dr. B.R. Ambedkar during the Constituent Assembly debates wished that Article 356 would never be called into operation and that it would remain a dead letter. However, it has been a travesty that Article 356 was misused on several occasions, removing elected governments that enjoyed majority in the States, violating constitutional principles and federalism. Reasons varied from loss in Lok Sabha elections to deterioration of law and order. When it comes to the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly after imposition of President's Rule, there has been no uniformity in the approach. More than constitutional principles, it was political expediency that drove such decisions in the past. Various Governors have adopted different approaches in similar situations in regard to the dissolution of the Legislative Assembly. The advice of a Chief Minister, enjoying majority support in the Assembly, is normally binding on the Governor. However, where the Chief Minister had lost such support, some Governors have refused to dissolve the Legislative Assembly on his/her advice, while others in similar situations, accepted the advice, and dissolved the Assembly. The Assembly was dissolved in Kerala (1970) and in Punjab (1971) on the advice of the Chief Minister whose claim to majority support was doubtful. However, in more or less similar circumstances in Punjab (1967), Uttar Pradesh (1968), Madhya Pradesh (1969), and Orissa (1971), the Legislative Assembly was not dissolved immediately based on the outgoing Ministry's advice. Attempts were made to install alternative Ministries. What have the courts ruled? The Supreme Court and High Courts during the first four decades after Independence refrained from interfering in the decision of the Centre to impose President's Rule in States. It was only after a categorical judgment of the Supreme Court in the S. R. Bommai case (1994), that misuse of Article 356 has been restricted. The court in this judgment held that Article 356 should be imposed only in the event of a breakdown of constitutional machinery as distinguished from an ordinary breakdown of law and order. It also held that imposition of President's Rule is subject to judicial review and should not be misused for political reasons. It further ruled that till Parliament approves the imposition of President's Rule, the Legislative Assembly should not be dissolved, and can be only kept under suspended animation. The higher judiciary has been a watchdog, since the S. R. Bommai case, against the arbitrary use of Article 356. Notably in the case of Bihar (2005), Uttarakhand (2016) and Arunachal Pradesh (2016), the courts have struck down the wrongful imposition of President's Rule. When can it be revoked? If President's Rule is imposed because of the lack of a government with majority, then usually fresh elections are held. After elections, the President's Rule is revoked and a popularly elected government takes over the governance of the State. Manipur was placed under President's Rule in February 2025 due to the deteriorating security situation and consequent political developments in the State. The assembly, whose five-year term ends in March 2027, has been kept under suspended animation. Considering that more than 18 months are left before the assembly term expires, it would be prudent to install a government that enjoys the confidence of the assembly. More importantly, it should enjoy the confidence of different sections of society of the State. Rangarajan. R is a former IAS officer and author of 'Courseware on Polity Simplified'. He currently trains at Officers IAS Academy. Views expressed are personal.
