HC rejects PIL seeking stay on TN co-op societies' election

The Madras High Court today dismissed a PIL, seeking a stay on the co-operative societies' election currently underway in Tamil Nadu.

A division bench of justices Selvam and Basheer Ahamed rejected the petition filed by one Kumar of Nagercoil.

The bench observed that it could not interfere in the matter as the election process had already started.

The petitioner had submitted that new members were not enrolled in the Maravan Kudiyiruppu Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society, though the local farmers wanted to enlist themselves.

Only the members of the ruling AIADMK were allowed to enrol themselves as members through pre-dated forms, he had alleged.

Around 95 per cent of the members of the societies belonged to the ruling party, who had enrolled themselves through pre-dated forms, the petitioner had submitted.

Hence, the March 12 election notification should be stayed and the poll should not be allowed without undertaking proper enrolment of members, he had contended.

The government counsel told the court that the process for the co-operative societies' polls was being followed properly.

Last month, the Tamil Nadu State Co-operative Societies Election Commission had announced the schedule for electing the office-bearers for cooperative societies across the state.