Indian Cabinet approves direct rule in Karnataka

The Indian cabinet on Tuesday approved the imposition of federal rule in Karnataka after the southern state’s coalition government collapsed in bitter acrimony.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s cabinet gave clearance to direct federal rule after Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur recommended the move late Monday as a prelude to early elections in the state.

“The approval to Thakur’s recommendations was given at a meeting of the cabinet which was chaired by the prime minister,” an official said.

The formal dissolution of the state legislature will be now ordered by Indian President Pratibha Patil, he added.

Karnataka, which has around 60 million people, is India’s science hub. Its capital Bangalore is home to the software, biotech and aerospace industries that are spearheading the country’s economic resurgence.

New Delhi, Wednesday, AFP