The Union Cabinet is learnt to have decided to bring Nagaland under central rule to end the political uncertainty in the state after the Neiphu Rio government survived a controversial no-confidence motion last month.
But it could not be confirmed whether the Union Cabinet had voted to dissolve the state assembly or keep the assembly in suspended animation.
A government source said it was logical to dissolve the assembly with the state due to go for polls next month. However, there was no official word on the cabinet decision; there were hints that the decision would be formally made public once the ordinance was promulgated.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had convened the Union Cabinet meeting on Tuesday evening, which lasted for about 15-20 minutes.
Nagaland is due for election in February 2008 and the electoral process is likely to start later this month. But a controversy over the numbers backing the Neiphu Rio government at a vote of no confidence in the assembly has pushed the state to the brink of central rule.
Thirty-one MLAs of Nagaland had last month met President Pratibha Patil seeking central rule in the state after the no confidence motion in the assembly was defeated following the Speaker's refusal to consider votes of seven dissident ruling legislators enabling the state government to survive. The Leader of the Opposition and Congress legislature party, I Imkong, led the delegation of MLAs to Rashtrapati Bhavan. The motion was defeated 23-19 in the 60-member House
{{/usCountry}}Thirty-one MLAs of Nagaland had last month met President Pratibha Patil seeking central rule in the state after the no confidence motion in the assembly was defeated following the Speaker's refusal to consider votes of seven dissident ruling legislators enabling the state government to survive. The Leader of the Opposition and Congress legislature party, I Imkong, led the delegation of MLAs to Rashtrapati Bhavan. The motion was defeated 23-19 in the 60-member House
{{/usCountry}}At the controversial no-confidence motion on December 13, the assembly Speaker had held the votes of the dissident ruling Nagaland People's Forum-led Democratic Alliance members - who defied the party whip and voted against the government - as invalid.