'Presidential rule' for Nagaland

By Subir Bhaumik
BBC News, Calcutta

Presidential rule is likely to be imposed imminently in India's north-eastern state of Nagaland, officials say.

They say that the regional coalition government backed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to fall at any time.

Indian Home Ministry officials say that the central cabinet is closely reviewing the situation in Nagaland.

Elections are due to be held in the state within the next two months.

'Disarray'

Officials say that they expect the president to follow the advice of the central cabinet and soon impose direct rule of Nagaland from Delhi.

The suggestion has not been well received by the BJP.

Nagaland has also been hit by a prolonged insurgency

Spokesman Rajiv Pratap Rudy accused the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government of playing politics in the state a fortnight before the Election Commission is expected to announce the election schedule.

Mr Rudy accused Congress of bringing their government into Nagaland through the backdoor.

If they impose President's Rule... It would be nothing but murder of democracy Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio

"This is being done to manipulate and influence the forthcoming elections where the Congress is in disarray," he said.

He accused Congress of double standards - because it had not imposed presidential rule in the state of Goa which was in the same kind of political disarray as Nagaland.

The Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio, has also condemned the possible implementation of direct rule.

"Such a move will be illegal and unconstitutional as I have come to power only after being elected democratically and my government has won the trust vote in Nagaland assembly on 13 December.

"The Congress wants to disrupt the election. If they impose president's rule and dismiss my democratically-elected government, it would be nothing but murder of democracy," the chief minister said.

Nine dissident legislators of the ruling coalition, the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN), sided with Congress to demand the immediate dismissal of the DAN government.