Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. The Genesis of Article 356 of the Constitution of India: A Retrospect. 3. Article 356: The Operational Orbit. 4. The Steamroller in Operation: A Historical Survey. 5. The Steamroller in Operation: The Emerging Model. 6. The Emerging Model: An Evaluation.  7. Safeguards Against Abuse of Article 356: The Parliament. 8. Safeguards Against Abuse of Article 356: The Courts. 9. Conclusion: The Need for a Fresh Look. Appendices. Bibliography.

Article 356 of the Constitution of India comprises a topic of broad interest and increasing importance in contemporary Constitutional law of India. This historical and constitutional backdrop of the incorporation of the Article in the Constitution of India and how the presidential power has been exercised under the existing countervailing and conflicting power politics syndrome and socio-economic scenario as represented by a plethora of political parties national, sub national or regional. In doing so that scholar has tried to ascertain the following: whether the inclusion of Article 356 in the Constitution was justified; the scope and ambit of their term 'failure of the constitution machinery imposition of Article 356 since 1950 were in conformity with constitutional precisions; whether the Parliament and the Judiciary can do anything to remedy the situation; and whether any other solution to the problem of the possible misuse of the Article is available, including constitutional amendment barring scrapping of the Article. To understand the full and the true constitutional power, he has also analysed the political process of the country, the nature and ideology of the national and regional political leadership and the role of Governor and the President. (jacket)