Centre today (18th March), decided to impose President's Rule in Meghalaya after receiving a report from the Governor recommending such a rule. Yesterday (17th March), the NCP-led MPA government survived a controversial confidence vote in the state assembly by a single vote, after Speaker B M Lanong cast his tie-breaker in favour of the ruling coalition.

 

The decision to impose President's Rule was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Briefing reporters in New Delhi after the meeting, Home Minister P. Chidambaram said that, the Governor has reported the breakdown of Constitutional machinery in the state after analyzing the events of confidence motion in the assembly and thereby recommended imposition of President's Rule. The Centre received the Governor R S Moosahary's report Yesterday (17th March).

 

Chidambaram also said that, the Governor's report was accepted by the Cabinet and a suitable recommendation was being sent to the President. During the Tuesday (17th March) trust vote Speaker invalidated the votes of four rebel members ignoring the Governor's directive. Earlier, Governor had directed him to maintain status quo on the voting rights of members and cast his vote when there was a tie in the 60-member House during division.