New Delhi, Mar 25 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Centre and the State Government on a petition filed by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader P. Sangma challenging imposition of President''s rule in the state.

Besides Sangma, dismissed Chief Minister Donkupar Roy, his Home Minister H S Lyngdoh and MPA spokesperson Conrad Sangma, all MLAs, moved a joint petition accusing Governor R S Moosahary of acting malafide at the behest of the UPA Government at the Centre and recommending action under Article 356 of the Constitution despite the Roy Government winning the confidence motion with the help of the casting vote by the Speaker.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Justices J M Panchal and A K Ganguly will hear the matter on April 13.

On March 19, after the Central Government''s recommendation for President''s rule in Meghalaya, President Pratibha Patil placed the State Assembly under suspended animation.

The Union Cabinet announced the decision after receiving a report from Meghalaya Governor R. S. Mooshahary about the constitutional machinery breaking down in Meghalaya.

Sangma termed the move unwarranted and unprecedented. (ANI)