State government split in Gujarat

The assembly in the western Indian state of Gujarat has been dissolved after a mass defection from the governing R-J-P to the opposition B-J-P.

About sixteen R-J-P members are reported to have crossed the floor, including the state revenue minister, Atmaram Patel.

Opposition leaders went to see the governor, saying they had majority support and should form a new government, but the governor accepted the recommendation of the outgoing chief minister Dilip Parikh and dissolved the assembly.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service