Monday, May 23 2005 07:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Centre early today (May 23, 2005) decided to recommend to President A P J Abdul Kalam dissolution of the Bihar Assembly.

A decision to this effect was taken at a late night meeting last night (May 22, 2005) of the Union Cabinet presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Informed sources said that the decision was taken as no political party was in a position to provide a stable Government in the State.

Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Cabinet Secretary B K Chaturvedi and Home Secretary V K Duggal left the Prime Minister's residence shortly before 02:00 hrs (IST) but did not make any comment on the Cabinet decision.

"The Cabinet has recommended the dissolution of the Assembly in Bihar which is under President's Rule. The decision has been convened to Rashtrapati Bhavan," the sources said.

Earlier the Home Minister had sought a report from Bihar Governor Buta Singh, who was in the capital, in the wake of fresh political developments in the State.

Bihar came under President's Rule on March 7 after Assembly elections gave a fractured verdict and no party or group was in a position to form a Government.

While imposing the President's Rule the Centre had kept the Assembly under suspended animation.

The Bihar budget was later passed by the Parliament.

It is however not clear whether President's Rule would continue or elections will be held now.

The President is at present in Moscow as part of his four-nation tour.