(1.) Heard.
(2.) Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith. With the consent of the parties the petitions are taken up for final disposal at admission stage.
(3.) All these petitions raise an identical question in respect of necessary party in election petition presented under the provisions of section 21 of the Maharashtra Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats and Industrial Township Act, 1965 (hereinafter referred to as the "Municipal Act".)