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Chautala calls for mid-term election

Haryana Governor Mahabir Prasad today dissolved the state assembly 17 months before the expiry of its five-year term on the recommendation of Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala, paving the way for a mid-term election in the state along with elections to three other state assemblies in February-March next year.

The decision to dissolve the assembly was taken at a Cabinet meeting presided over by Chautala in Chandigarh this evening.

At the same meeting, the Cabinet decided to implement the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission for pre-1986 pensioners and family pensioners.

Later, briefing reporters, Chautala said the governor had accepted the recommendation to dissolve the assembly and asked him and his Council of Ministers to continue in office as a caretaker government till the election.

He said the Cabinet's decision on the dissolution was unanimous and the governor had issued the necessary notification.

He said the decision was taken in deference to the wishes of the people who, after the recent Lok Sabha election, wanted a fresh election to the state assembly as well.

He said the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Haryana Vikas Party (Democratic) legislators who had joined the ruling Indian National Lok Dal led by Chautala, and independent legislators supporting his government also wanted the Vidhan Sabha dissolved.

He promised that the assembly election would be fair, free and peaceful whenever it is held.

UNI

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