The President's Rule has been imposed in Andhra Pradesh after a gap of over 41 years.
The President's Rule was imposed in Andhra Pradesh for the first time on 11 January 1973, following a breakdown of law & order in the state because of the Jai Andhra agitation.
In 1972, Gouthu Latchanna led the Jai Andhra movement started by students of Andhra University, demanding the division of Andhra Pradesh into old Andhra state and Telangana state on the issue of "Mulki" rules. There were massive protests across the state. Kakani Venkataratnam, a former minister, died of shock on December 25 1972, when eight people were killed in police firing.
This forced the government to remove Mulki rules and accept all other demands made by the protestors. A six-point formula was also put in place.
The then Chief Minister P V Narasimha Rao was forced to resign on 10 January 1973 from his post, following the resignation of nine ministers from the Andhra region. The next day, President's rule was imposed in the state, which continued for 11 months, till 10 December.
Prior to the formation of Andhra Pradesh, the Andhra state too witnessed President's Rule for about 4 months. Following the loss of majority by the state government, the President's Rule in Andhra state was imposed on 15 November 1954, and it lasted till 29 March 1955.
The President's Rule refers to Article 356 of the Constitution of India, and deals with the failure of the Constitutional machinery in a state. The President's Rule is imposed under different circumstances, including the inability of the state Legislature to elect a leader as the Chief Minister. (INN)