President's Rule to be imposed in Karnataka

Karnataka may reel under President's Rule. Raj Bhavan sources said the governor has recommended that President's Rule be imposed in the state.

However, an official word from the governor will come only on Tuesday.

The Political Affairs Committee in New Delhi will discuss the issue on Tuesday and then President's Rule will be imposed in the state.

Sources say that the rule may in force for at least 4 to 5 months before elections are declared in the state.

The question is whether Karnataka is new to President's Rule? Looking back into the history of Karnataka politics, the state has been under this rule thrice in the past.

The first time the rule was imposed on March 19, 1971.

This was at the beginning of the Fourth Assembly of Karnataka after the Veerendra Patil led-Congress government collapsed.

The rule, which was imposed on March 18, 1971, lasted till March 20, 1972.

The second time the rule was imposed was on December 31, 1977, and it lasted till February 28, 1978.

This was during the fifth assembly. At this time, it was the Devraj Urs led-Congress government, which ran into troubled waters.

The third time was on April 21, 1989. This was during the eighth assembly when the Janata Party was in power in the state.

The state was under President's Rule till November 30, 1989.

The latest developments in Karnataka will see the state reeling under Presidents Rule for the fourth time.

The big question is how long this scenario will last.

Sources say that the state have may to remain under this rule for at least 4 to 5 months, before elections are declared.