Imposition of President's rule in a democratic country is considered as unfortunate. But going by the current socio-political scenario in Bihar, Governor Buta Singh's recommendation for President's rule in the state can be termed as a blessing in disguise.

Not because it has offered Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ram Vilas Paswan a chance to settle his political score with friend-turned-foe Laloo Prasad Yadav, whose Rashtriya Janata Dal ruled the state for 15 years.

Because, it will ensure that the governance does not fall again in the hands of those who have fooled the masses for more than a decade in the name of caste and communalism. At the same time, it will save the state from opportunistic political alliances where parties might end up squabbling rather getting on with the task of governing.

It will give the administrative officers a free hand to bring life back on track, to get rid of crime, corruption and political interference in governance.

It may seem impossible to achieve the task in a short span. Rightly because the 15 years of uninterrupted Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) rule has paralysed the development process in the state, its leaders have set many wrong practices and criminals have spread such amount of terror that very few administrative officers would dare to take initiatives to correct the wrong doings.

It is not very easy to sort out all the problems in a limited period; also because the state has a large number of administrative officers who have got the position due to their connections with high profile political leaders and may continue to follow their instructions. While some of them may not find enough courage to touch notorious
gang lords.

Despite that, no one can negate the possibilities of better governance. The mere possibility of imposition of President's rule has brought down the number of crime cases in the state. There was barely any incident of murder, ransom or kidnapping reported since the election results have been announced.

By organising free and fare Assembly elections recently in the state, the Election Commission of India has also set an example which strengthens the possibility of governance of the state free from crime and corruption.

However, it will depend much upon the central government's decision while appointing the advisors to the Governor, who will actually run the government in absence of an elected government.

It can be achieved only if the state affairs are not run by yet another politician.

It is need of the hour that Bihar is governed by some one like the former IPS officer, KPS Gill who can lead the team of IPS officers in Bihar to control the incidence of crime. On the other hand, the state needs an honest administrative officer who can lead the team of IAS officers in planning and executing development schemes, which have been neglected in the state for years. It can be possible only by nominating people like Gill as the Governor's advisor.

It has been a tradition in India that the central government rules the state during the President's rule by proxy. President's rule in Bihar for the eighth time will virtually be the rule of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) or of the Congress party?

If it is ruled by the UPA, Laloo Prasad Yadav will have a big say as his party is the second largest constituent.

The state might be benefited if it is governed according to the instructions given by the main constituent of the UPA, Congress Party. It may revive the party's base in this politically important state.

In this moment of uncertainty, one thing is clear. It provides a good opportunity to President APJ Abdul Kalam to turn his Vision 2020 (to make India a developed nation), into a functioning relality.