CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government’s decision on the panchayat elections in the State is likely to be postponed for an indefinite period.
On May 17 the Punjab Governor had said that the panchayat election was to be held district wise. The decision also stipulated that the election process would start in June to be completed in the next three months. The Panchayat poll was due in Punjab in November last year.
Almost all political parties have opposed panchayat election in Punjab in the present situation. The Akalis and the Communist parties have given statements the decision for the poll. The Akalis have alleged that the Government wants to divide the “rural population ‘over the panchayat election with some ulterior motive. Though the Congress (I) has no courage to come out openly against the decision, its leaders privately question the wisdom behind it.
The opposition sees a sinister move behind the decision to hold the panchayat elections “district wise.” It fears that poll would be rigged if this method is adopted. As this method has not been adopted in the past it can be challenged in courts. Again the panchayat poll has always been held under popular governments and the opposition does not want the process to be reversed.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 16, 1989
