Following the completion of six months of Governor's rule on Wednesday, the Central government imposed President's rule in Jammu & Kashmir starting from December 20, 2018, as Ram Nath Kovind signed a proclamation to this effect under Article 356 of the Constitution of India.

The decision was made after the state plunged into a political crisis in June after the Mehbooba Mufti-led coalition government was reduced to a minority following withdrawal of support by the 25-member BJP in the state. This is the first time since 1996 the Central rule has been imposed in the state.

The proclamation that brings the state under his direct rule states that President Kovind has assumed to himself all the functions of the government of the state and all powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor of the State under the Constitution of India and Jammu and Kashmir’s own Constitution.