The Supreme Court’s decision to stay Panchayat elections in the State has spoiled the plans of most of the aspirants who were planning to put their hats in the three-tier elections.
These aspirants had made all the arrangements which included distributing booze and cash among the rural electorate. The Supreme Court on Friday had stayed the orders of Nainital High Court which had directed the State Government and the State Election Commission to complete these elections before March 29. The Apex court passed the stay orders on petition of Pala Saalt Bhartara Sagathan which plead that the State was reeling under effects of June disaster and the elections in March would also affect the students who are appearing for the board examination.
After the Nainital High Court’s decision the State Election Commission had planned to hold two staged Panchayat elections in 12 districts of the State on March 21 and March 24. Those interested to fight these elections had started their campaign in all earnest. After the initial rounds of brain storming with their supporters, they had prepared the elaborate plans to ensure their victory. These aspirants had put large banners in their areas and had given orders for pamphlets to the printers. Thousands of aspirants across the State had purchased the nomination papers to fight these elections.
One such aspirant belonging to the Beragarh village of Yamkeshwar block of Pauri Garhwal district told this correspondent that he had burrowed money from his relatives in Delhi to fight the position of Pradhan in these elections. He claimed that his opponent had already started the liquor parties to woo the villagers. Another aspirant of Member district Panchayat said that he had started touring the villages as 33 villages formed part of his constituency.
He said that the postponement of the elections would increase his expenditure now. The increase in budget flow to the Panchayati Raj institution has also increased the number of aspirants and to win these elections they are ready to use any malpractice. These aspirants admitted that their election expenditure would far exceed the Election Commission’s limit; the Commission puts a limit of Rs 25,000 for Pradhans and member Block Panchayat, Rs 70,000 for member district Panchayat while it limits member village panchayat to spend only Rs 5,000.