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In SR Bommai v. Union of India (1994), the Supreme Court emphasized that floor test to verify majority should be conducted ______ to ensure democratic verification before considering Article 356 imposition.
- after dismissal of Ministry
- before dismissal of Ministry
- only after Presidential approval
- only during Emergency
Answer: before dismissal of Ministry
Floor test timing under SR Bommai: (a) Context: Challenge to President's Rule imposition without floor test in multiple States, (b) Supreme Court holding: (i) Floor test should be conducted before dismissal of Ministry to verify whether Ministry enjoys majority support, (ii) Governor cannot dismiss Ministry based on subjective assessment, media reports, political considerations without floor test, (iii) Floor test ensures democratic verification: Elected representatives, not appointed Governor, decide government fate, (c) Applications: (i) Hung Assembly scenarios: Governor must invite leader most likely to command majority, verify through floor test before considering Article 356, (ii) Judicial review: Courts can examine whether floor test conducted fairly, results respected, before upholding Article 356, (d) Rationale: (i) Democratic legitimacy: Elected Assembly represents people's will; floor test ensures Ministry reflects Assembly majority, (ii) Constitutional morality: Governor as constitutional functionary, not political agent, (iii) Judicial oversight: Courts ensure Article 356 used for genuine constitutional breakdown, not political ends, (e) Illustrates constitutional federalism: Floor test before dismissal ensures State governments reflect Assembly majority; judicial review protects State autonomy against arbitrary Centre overreach.