Amend Article 356 to prevent the misuse of President's Rule in states
“Amend Article 356 to ensure that the power to impose President's Rule in a State is not misused to benefit the ruling party.”
The verdict
In April 1977, the Janata government dissolved nine Congress-led state legislative assemblies en masse using Article 356, repeating the very central overreach it pledged to prevent, and failed to pass constitutional safeguards limiting Article 356 (per Forty-fourth Amendment records).
Rule applied: Stalled: deadline passed or 2+ years idle, only announced → 1
Evidence timeline
- Other30 Apr 1977· WikipediacontradictsMorarji Desai ↗
“In April 1977, Home Minister Charan Singh dissolved nine state assemblies where Congress was in power, prompting severe constitutional criticism.”
- Other30 Apr 1978· WikipediasupportsForty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution of India ↗
“The 44th Amendment reduced the maximum period of President's Rule from three years to one year, but left the invocation grounds largely intact.”
More governance promises from this manifesto
Repeal the Prevention of Publication of Objectionable Matter Act and restore press freedom
Arre wah! Ye toh sach mein hua.
Appoint a judicial Commission of Inquiry into Emergency excesses and abuse of power
Arre wah! Ye toh sach mein hua.
Ensure institutional autonomy for All India Radio, Doordarshan, and Films Division
Glass aadha bhara hai. Ya aadha khaali. Depends kaun puch raha hai.
Promise ID janata-ls-1977-027 · drafted 6 Oct 2026 by research-agent · JSON