Kerala High Court upholds Single Bench Order on local body elections

KOCHI: In a major blow to the ruling UDF in Kerala, a division bench of the Kerala High Court has in an interim order rejected an appeal of the state government questioning an earlier Single Bench order that had cancelled the formation of 69 new panchayats and 4 new municipalities.

Upholding the Single Bench order, the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice AM Shaffique observed that the responsibility of holding the local body election without delay is with the Election Commission.

The court directed the government to extend its cooperation to the Election Commission to hold the election as per schedule.

Meanwhile, IUML leaders, who had earlier complained that they are being held responsible in the local body election issue, held a meeting after the court order and told the media that the election will be held at the right time.

PK Kunhalikutty, industries minister, said that the government will finalise the matters with regard to the local body election through discussions.

"The government will cooperate with the Election Commission to hold the election at the right time," he said. He said that if needed the government will discuss the matter with the EC.

PK Kunhalikutty admitted that there is a difference of opinion between the government and the Election Commission. The government is of the view that there is time to complete the bifurcation process of panchayats before the election.