The 13th Lok Sabha was dissolved on Friday, about nine months ahead of the end of its term, to make way for polls.
Accepting the January 27 recommendation of the Union Cabinet, President A P J Abdul Kalam signed around noon the proclamation dissolving the House with immediate effect under Article 85 of the Constitution.
The die for premature dissolution of the Lok Sabha was cast at the national executive of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Hyderabad last month, where the party asked the government to go for polls.
This was followed by the Cabinet recommendation.