International Journal of Law

Authors
Anil Ghanghas

Abstract
In Indian Constitution, President's rule refers to suspension of state government and state is ruled by Central Government. Article 356 of the Indian constitution states that if a state government is unable to function according to constitutional provisions, Central government can take direct control of the state machinery. All executive authority is exercised through governor, which is again centrally appointed and has the authority to appoint other administrators to assist them. Since Independence, there have been 126 instances of President rule being imposed in various states of India. Article 356 was given as an emergency provision by constitution makers but is being used repeatedly by Delhi to suspend state governments of opposite political parties on the basis of genuine reasons as well as trumped-up excuses.