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Centre takes steps to ratify President's Rule in Andhra Pradesh

President Rule expires on April 30; Centre examines four options

New Delhi: The Union home ministry is pursuing four different options to avoid any Constitutional crisis that may arise if Parliamentary approval is not secured before the April 30 deadline for President’s Rule in Andhra Pradesh.

The home ministry is faced with a unique situation where holding a special session of Parliament to ratify President’s Rule may not be possible in the midst of the nine-phase Lok Sabha elections that begin on April 7 and end on May 12.

One solution being worked out by the home ministry is to revoke Central Rule and re-impose it immediately. This will help the Centre gain two months by which time the new Lok Sabha will be constituted to ratify President’s Rule.

The home ministry has reportedly referred the matter to the Attorney-General .

“The legal contours of such a move have to be studied as there is no precedent available. The A-G’s opinion has been sought on all the options,” an official said.

The second option being explored is to allow the two-month deadline for the ratification to expire and then seek a fresh report from the Governor following which Central Rule can be imposed afresh in the state.

If implemented, this may set a sort of precedent where Central rule has been allowed to lapse for want of Parliamentary ratification, and reimposed again.

( Source : dc correspondent )
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