Sukhu Government U-Turns on Panchayat Elections, Challenges High Court Ruling in SC

• The Himachal Pradesh Sukhu government has filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court against the High Court's order to conduct panchayat elections by April 30.
• This move marks a U-turn from the government's earlier stance of not challenging the High Court's decision.
• BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma highlighted the 'government versus government' nature of the SLP, implying internal conflict or a strategic move.
• Panchayat elections, originally due in December-January, were postponed by the government citing disaster, leading to administrators being appointed as terms ended January 31.
• Uncertainty looms over timely elections as voter lists have only been released in Shimla, Chamba, and Lahaul and Spiti, with the reservation roster due by February 8.