In a set back to the ruling TRS, today, Hyderabad High Court stayed the operation of the GO, the state government issued cutting poll process of GHMC elections to 15 days from 28 days.

The Court set the new dead line of February 9th or 10th for the poll process completion, which the government was planning to complete by the end of January.

Telangana government issued the GO condensing the poll process, with the intention of bringing electoral reforms.

The Opposition party, Congress, however challenged the GO implementation, stating that, it was issued only to prevent the participation of the opposition parties in GHMC elections fully.

Seeking 45 days time to complete process, Marri Sashidhar Reddy, the former minister and senior Congress leader filed the petition in the court.

The court asked the state election commission to complete the reservation process by Saturday and regaring this, it gave 31 working days to complete the process in order to give ample time for the political parties for electioneering.

So, the countdown begins only after the reservations declaration to the various social groups, which the court will publish, by next Saturday.

On the other hand, petitioner Reddy reminded the court that, the EC had earlier sought 45 day- time to complete the election process. But after the court’s ruling, Sashidhar Reddy said, it was a triumph of democracy. The Court by its verdict thwarted an attempt by the ruling party to deny enough time for the opposition parties for electioneering.

By Phani Ch