Polls for two gram panchayats stayed

By Our Legal Correspondent

HYDERABAD, AUG. 13.Mr. Justice B. Sudershan Reddy, of the A.P. High Court on Monday stayed elections to two gram panchayats in Cuddapah and Warangal districts on the ground that they had not completed the five-year term.

The notification to conduct elections to the Malemarpuram panchayat of the Chitvel mandal, Cuddapah district, was challenged by Mr. D. Subba Rayudu, sarpanch of the panchayat. He contended that he was elected to the post in 1997 when members took oath for the first time. His contention was that the term of five years had to be reckoned from the first meeting of the members when they took oath. He said when the five-year term was not over elections can not be held.

Ms. S.Eswaramma, sarpanch of Mustyalapalli, Atmakur mandal, Warangal district, filed another writ petition saying that she was elected in 1998. She informed the court that due to threat of the outlawed People's War Group (PWG) no one contested when elections were held in 1995. Later, elections were held in 1998 and she was elected sarpanch. She said she cannot be deprived of her legitimate five-year term.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Violence, money power dominate poll scene
Next     : DCP rights a wrong