New Delhi, Nov 20: Karnataka was today brought under President's rule for the second time in little over a month and the Assembly kept under suspended animation but a decision has been taken to dissolve it when government approaches Parliament.

President Pratibha Patil signed the proclamation bringing the state under Central rule after the Union Cabinet accepted Governor Rameshwar Thakur's recommendation in this regard and advised such a course of action, sources said.

The Centre's action comes a day after the first-ever BJP government in the south collapsed following coalition partner JD(S)' decision to vote against the government's confidence vote in the Assembly yesterday.

An early morning meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh just before he left for Singapore took the decision.

"The report of the Governor has been approved by the Cabinet and a recommendation has gone to the President for immediate imposition of President's Rule in Karnataka," Union Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said. He said the government will seek the approval of Parliament for imposition of Central rule in Karnataka and dissolution of the state Assembly at the "earliest opportunity."

BJP welcomes President's rule

BJP Karnataka unit president Sadananda Gowda today welcomed the Centre's decision to recommend President's rule and dissolution of the Karantaka Assembly.

Addressing a press conference here after a meeting of party legislators, he said, ''There was no other option left for the Union government''.

BJP legislators appreciated the stand taken by the party and chose to go before the people than sticking to power by yielding to the JD(S). Lambasting JD(S) leaders for the present political situation, Mr Gowda said BJP has emerged stronger than before. The JD(S) which had ditched the party twice had no face to go before the people, who were waiting to teach a bitter lesson for their act of treason,'' he charged.

''BJP in Karnataka will not rest until the next elections and we are confident that party will come back to power with a thumping majority. The state executive meeting has been convened during the first week of December in which the poll strategy will be worked out,'' he said.