Tamil Nadu Timeline

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MGR government dismissed, President's rule imposed

· Chennai

The Union government dismissed the AIADMK ministry and dissolved the Tamil Nadu assembly, imposing President's rule.

In the January 1980 Lok Sabha election, the DMK and Congress (I) alliance won 37 of the 39 seats in Tamil Nadu. In February 1980 the new Congress government at the Centre dismissed the AIADMK ministry and dissolved the state assembly, along with several other opposition-ruled state governments. Tamil Nadu came under President's rule until fresh assembly elections were held in May 1980. The dismissal became part of the wider debate in Tamil Nadu about the use of Article 356 and Centre-state relations.

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  4. 1988

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