MPHC says coop bodies poll results be withheld

Jabalpur, Feb 9 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court today ruled that the ongoing poll process to the state's cooperative bodies be continued but the results be withheld until further orders.

Chief Justice Anang Kumar Patnaik and Justice Krishna Kumar Lahoti heard public interest pleas by Mr Shankar Pratap Singh Bundela and 18 others who alleged irregularities.

''The Cooperatives Department took various decisions with a view to benefiting the ruling party in the election. The Registrar, Cooperative Committees, and his department's officials struck off names at will from voters' lists for primary cooperative bodies,'' Petitioners' Counsel Vivek Tankha submitted.

The pleas alleged that the hustings were being conducted hastily by amending the Cooperatives Act for availing a loan from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development. The bench was urged to cancel the December 19, 2006 notification for the poll.

''Preparations are complete, as per the Cooperatives Act, for the first phase of polling on February 12 and subsequent phases,'' said Advocate-General Ravinandan Singh.

March 1 was fixed as the next date of hearing.

UNI