CONTENTS

BOTH in 1977 when the Janata party government at the Centre dismissed the nine state governments and at present when the Congress (I) government at the Centre has repaid the Janata (as well as the AlADMK-led coalition government in Tamil Nadu and the PDF government in Maharashtra) in the same coin, more than the constitutional, legal or moral principles, what weighed was the perceived political advantages of taking such a step, though both in 1977 and now, suitable rationalisations were and have been offered. Viewed thus, the action of the new government was to be expected; but whether the desired political advantages will be gained is another matter.