Agaji Dadarao Dandge v. The State Of Maharashtra Through Its Principal Secretary And Others

wp10593.22 -1-

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

BENCH AT AURANGABAD 260 WRIT PETITION NO.10593 OF 2022 AGAJI DADARAO DANDGE

VERSUS

THE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA THROUGH ITS PRINCIPAL SECRETARY AND OTHERS ...

Advocate for Petitioners : Mr. Thombre S.S.

GP for Respondents: Mr. D.R. Kale Advocate for Respondent No.2 : Mr. V.H. Dighe .....

CORAM : RAVINDRA V. GHUGE AND SANJAY A. DESHMUKH, JJ.

DATED : 19th OCTOBER, 2022.

PER COURT :- 1.

The petitioner has put forth prayer clauses "B" and "C" as under:- "B) By issuing a writ of mandamus, orders, directions or any other appropriate writ in the like nature, direct Respondent No.2 to first hold elections of primary agricultural societies from Aurangabad taluka and then hold the elections of Agriculture Produce Market Committee, Aurangabad by quashing and setting aside the impugned election programme dated 6th September, 2022, in so far as it relates to Agriculture Produce Market Committee, Aurangabad.

C) Pending hearing and final disposal of this writ petition, the respondents authorities may kindly be restrained from proceeding ahead in pursuance of the election programme dated 6th September, 2022 declared by Respondent No.2 for holding the elections of Agriculture Produce Market Committee, Aurangabad, in so far as it relates to Aurangabad Agriculture

wp10593.22 -2Produce Market Committee."

2.

The learned advocate representing respondent No.2 Election Authority submits that there are 76 Agricultural Societies, which are members of A.P.M.C. Aurangabad, whose elections are to be completed in the first phase and once such elections are held, their nominees, as voter in the Aurangabad A.P.M.C. elections, would be available. Out of these 76 societies, 55 societies were due for elections as on 31.03.2022. 42 Societies have already undergone elections and results are declared. The election programme in 11 other societies is in progress and within two months, the elections would be held. Two societies have not deposited election funds and therefore, elections cannot be held to these two societies. He puts forth a conservative assessment that pursuant to holding of elections of the Societies, the elections to Aurangabad A.P.M.C. is likely to be held within a short period.

3.

In view of the above, this petition is disposed off with the expectation that respondent No.2 shall endeavour to complete the elections of the Societies and thereafter, hold elections to Aurangabad A.P.M.C. as far as possible, within a period of around 4/5 months.

(SANJAY A. DESHMUKH, J.) (RAVINDRA V. GHUGE , J.) rlj/