(1.) The aforementioned writ petitions to the election of Zila Panchayats of different districts. The Writ Petition bearing No. 3777 (M/B) of 2000 has been taken up as a leading one. The writ petitions, which deal with different questions, shall be dealt separately.
(2.) The factual matrix of the case as set out in the Writ Petition bearing No. 3777 (M/B) of 2000, in short compass, appears to be is that the election of the members of Zila Panchayat in District Hamirpur, U. P. was held on 22.4.1995. After the said election, new district Mahoba was carved out from district Hamirpur. It was submitted that till 5.8.1996, the election of Adhyaksha of Hamirpur was not held. On 18.4.1996, the State Government issued notification under Section 272 of the U. P. Kshettra Panchayat and Zila Panchayat Adhiniyam. 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Adhiniyam, 1961') removing certain difficulties due to creation of the new district Mahoba, which was earlier part of district Hamirpur, which reads as under :
(3.) The State Government in exercise of the power under the above provision, has issued a Government order on April 18th, 1996, which reads as under :