Dhumal welcomes HC verdict on Shimla civic polls

Leader of Opposition in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly Prem Kumar Dhumal welcomed the high court's order today directing the State Election Commission (SEC) to announce the schedule of election to the Shimla Municipal Corporation within 24 hours and conduct the polls by June 18.
Dhumal, a former chief minister, said the judgement was "historic" and demanded removal of the Congress dispensation in the state and the sacking of the State Election Commissioner.
"The government has no right to remain in office after the high court ruling," the BJP leader said.
Alleging that the SEC acted as a "puppet" in the hands of the Congress and the CPI(M) to defer the polls, Dhumal said that he should be made answerable for taking wrong and legally untenable decisions.

The CPI(M) controls the civic body.
The Shimla Municipal Corporation election will be held on June 16, the State Election Commission (SEC) announced today, hours after the high court gave it an ultimatum to publics poll schedule within 24 hours. Counting of votes will take place on June 17.
The election to the civic body had been deferred by the poll panel following complaints of discrepancies in electoral rolls. The poll panel had also ordered revision of electoral rolls, to be completed by 23 June.
The five-year term of the present corporation expires on June 4.