TN edict allows direct election of local body heads

Chennai, Nov 20 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday promulgated an ordinance amending the local body poll methods enabling direct election of Mayors and other heads of local bodies.According to the ordinance amending election laws of local bodies, the Mayor and the Chairman of the local bodies will be elected by the municipal councillors at the first meeting of the council.Earlier, the Mayors and Chairman of local bodies were elected to the office directly by the voters.Condemning the the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government's latest move, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam President M.K. Stalin said it only shows that Chief Minister K. Palaniswami fears an electoral defeat.Pointing out Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam statement earlier in the day ruling out in-direct elections for heads of local bodies Stalin said there seems to be a vast difference between the Chief Minister and his Deputy.On his part Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Vaiko said the move towards in-direct elections will result in horse trading.
--IANS vj/rs