Garhwal Hiteshini Sabha elections on 12 th January say 3 elections officers. Bisht panel calls general body on 9 th February

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SUNIL NEGI

The elections to the biggest representative body of Garhwalies in Delhi that was established a century ago with its headquarter at Panchquin road, Chandra Singh Garhwali Chowk enrolled with more that 4500 life members known as Garhwal Hiteshini Sabha will be held as usual on 12 th January. This has been officially declared by the three assistant election officers of GHS duly elected in the general house earlier in the presence of hundreds of the life members. The elections to Garhwal Hiteshini Sabha were declared by the four election officers comprising of the Chief election officer Lalit Dhaundiyal and three assistant election officers U.S.Negi, Devendra Rawat and Mr.Gusain. After the scrutiny of the nomination papers when the nomination of outgoing president Ajay Bisht alongwith their about twelve candidates were cancelled by the aforesaid four election officers on technical grounds the previous body led by Ajay Bisht n others became rebels coming down heavily on all the election officers of Garhwal Bhawan accusing them of favouritism and taking wrong decision by rejecting their nomination papers. The chief election officer and three assistant election officers convened a meeting of both the panels number one and two to decide the issue amicably so that the elections can be conducted smoothly on 12 January but both the groups were adamant with panel number ond led by Ajay Bisht pressurising the election officers to show their nomination papers and correct the discrepancies if any to facilitate the election. The other group led by Surat Singh contesting for the post of president whose nomination wasn’t rejected were adamant too saying that status quo after the scrutiny be maintained. When there were accusations and counter accusations by both the panels during the meeting and the CEO not able to arrive at an amicable solution he had no option but to resign. However, the three election officers the other day declared the presidential candidate of rival group Suran Singh n few candidates declared elected unilaterally, as unopposed. This led to Ajay Singh Bisht coming down heavily on them saying that a general house meeting has been convened on 9 February in which the new election officers and new date for elections and filing of nominations etc will be declared. To this the three assistant election officers had objected calling its meeting at Garhwal Bhawan yesterday attended by the rival fraction and those supporting them. The meeting was called in the open precincts of Garhwal Bhawan on Wednesday after the Garhwal Bhawan offices and halls etc were locked by the outgoing management not allowing them to hold meeting inside compelling the rival group and the three assistant election officers calling the meeting in the open compound of Garhwal Bhawan declaring the dates of elections on 12 th January officially urging all the life members to participate in large numbers to exercise their franchise. Three days ago when the three election commissioners have gone to their election office in Garhwal Bhawan to hold the meeting to make arrangements of the election they were not allowed as the election office was locked by the outgoing president saying that they will open the locks only after they get the orders from the Court. This led to the three election officers calling the police. Meanwhile, the life member of Garhwal Hiteshini Sabha T.S.Bhandari expressing his shock over the locking of the the election office of the three election officers of GHS and also not allowing them to hold the meeting has termed this attitude of the previous president as dictatorial and anarchist saying that he should have honoured the decision of the four election officers who had cancelled the nominations and let other participate in the democratic elections process, particularly because after the expiry of his term and his nomination’s rejection he has no moral right to either call the general house or apply lick on the election officers office. Bhandari said : It would have been appreciated if Dhaundiyal ji had conducted the election honoring the responsibilities the General Body has vested on him alongwith other 3 Asstt Election Officers appointed by the General Body. There is no substantial reason to runaway without consulting /discussing the issue with other 3 team members duly appointment by the GB of Sabha and not by him at his own personal capacity. Moreover it, he resigned as Chief Election Officer & as Primary Membership as well and other side directs the Executive Committee to call a GBM to get the Election held, despite there are other 3 officers of Election team elected by the General Body and not by him. Two propaganda are being posted in social media groups by rival factions , one in favour of election to be held on 13 th January and another opposing them.