India slaps federal rule in Bihar
The Indian government on Monday imposed direct federal rule in the lawless state of Bihar where legislative polls last month produced a hung assembly, officials said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's cabinet also placed Bihar's provincial assembly in "suspended animation" and sent its recommendations to President Abdul Kalam to endorse, government officials said.
"The cabinet recommended president's rule as the term of the 12th Bihar assembly ended last midnight and no political party or group could claim a simple majority required for the formation of the government," an official from the prime minister's office said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. "A presidential notification to this effect is expected later Monday night," he added.
Presidential rule empowers federally-appointed provincial governors with sweeping powers including the authority to reconvene suspended state legislatures and holding of fresh elections.
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